midnight
Peering out from the angle of the alleyway , he thought he had discovered a doorway or court between the house he was watching and the one below it toward the Carsija , and in a moment fancied that he could distinguish the sound of whispering voices , from that direction ; but the shadow of a mosque nearby threw its shadow upon this part of the street , and he could see nothing clearly . If there were men there , they were keeping in the shadow of the wall around the turn of the street , beyond the range of Renwick 's vision , but the night breeze which carried the sound of the whispers also wafted the odor of a native cigarette . The smell of it made Renwick wish to smoke , for the suspense and inaction were telling upon him , but he resisted the impulse , sinking lower into the shadow , and awaiting events . Minutes passed -- hours they seemed to the waiting Renwick -- and then came the deep boom of a bell , which echoing down the silent streets , seemed just at Renwick 's elbow -- another -- another -- until he counted twelve , of the belfry of the cathedral announcing midnight . He waited , thinking deeply . The machine which had come a long journey ? The lighted windows which the chauffeur watched ?