midnight
Simpson and a squad of non-commissioned officers watched where the flickering lights gleamed down upon the dead nabob . Making his last rounds for the night , Major Hawke , with a soldier 's cynical calmness , enjoyed a cheroot upon the veranda , as he bade his captain of the guard take charge until his return . The Major had most carefully examined the five bills of exchange which now occupied his attention , and his mind was now busied with the dead man 's golden store . He now contemplated a visit to a man whose conscience bothered him not , but whose bosom quaked in fear when Hawke 's letter , sent by a messenger , bade Ram Lal await him at midnight . `` Does he know ? '' gasped Ram Lal , with chattering teeth , and yet he dared not fly . An early evening interview with General Willoughby had disclosed to the Major the inconvenient fact that the dead nabob had left a carefully drawn will , whereof Andrew Fraser , of St. Heliers , Jersey , and Douglas Fraser , of Calcutta , were executors .