midnight
Did they get you at last ? '' `` Oh , I ai n't bad , Maggie , '' said the dying detective bravely . `` The chief 's going to have me sent to the hospital , and I 'll be all right in a week . '' But before midnight he died . An hour later Ted met the chief of detectives . `` Get into my car , '' said the chief , `` and come down to my office , and we 'll have a talk . '' In a short time they were at the Four Courts , the big central police station of St. Louis , and when they were in the chief 's private office and the door barred to intruders the great detective turned inquiringly to Ted .