about 10:30
No sooner had Hawley vanished than Keith found occasion to enter into casual conversation with the door-keeper , asking a number of questions , and leaving impressed upon the mind of that astute individual the idea that he was dealing with a `` gent '' enamored of one of the stage beauties . A coin slipped quietly into the man 's hand served to deepen this impression , and unlocked discreet lips otherwise sworn to secrecy . Out of much general information a little of real value was thus extracted -- Miss Maclaire 's act began at 9:45 and was over promptly at 10:10 . It required about twenty minutes more for her to change again into street clothes , and she usually left the theatre immediately after , which would be about 10:30 . Yes , there was a vestibule outside the stage door , and on bad nights , those waiting for the ladies could slip in there . But on such a night as this they generally hung around outside . No , there was no watchman , but the manager was frequently prowling around .