about midnight
It is difficult to conceive their motive . They can not hope at present to dispose of the picture , which is known by reputation in Europe and America , nor is it certain that they could safely realize on it after the lapse of years . The watchman , who has recovered consciousness , declared that he has no knowledge of how the thieves entered the building . It was about midnight , he states , when he was knocked down from behind . He remembers nothing after that . '' The _ Globe 's _ account was more sensational . `` It has come to light , '' wrote the enterprising reporter , `` that Raper , the watchman , was in the habit of slipping out to the Leather Bottle , on Crown Court , for a drink at ten o'clock every evening , and leaving the back door of the shop unlocked .