midnight
And now I 'll tell you how to get there . ' '' ` You 'd better write it down , ' I said , ` when we come to a light . ' `` As we approached the road running parallel to the curve of the Gulf the air became heavy and moist . It was October , with a chill in the midnight air . And for another thing , it was as quiet as any country road of an autumn night at home . Our feet padded softly on the matted leaves lying wet on the path when we turned into the main road , and through the gardens of the villas came a faint breath of air laden with salt and the dead odours of the river delta . We seemed to be alone in the world , we two , as we hurried along in the darkness , and the girl pressed more closely to me as though for protection against unseen dangers .