midnight
Peter Ruff shook his head . `` I earned the money , '' he answered . Amidst a storm of whispered criticisms , the general opinion was that Letty Shaw was a silly little fool who ought to have known better . When she had entered the restaurant a few minutes before midnight , followed by Austen Abbott , every one looked to see a third person following them . No third person , however , appeared . Gustav himself conducted them to a small table laid for two , covered with pink roses , and handed his fair client the menu of a specially ordered supper . There was no gainsaying the fact that Letty and her escort proposed supping alone !