midnight
Once she decided to leave the brightly lighted halls for the darkness of the grounds outside , lifting the tiara would be an easy matter . But Townsend never kept the jewels he stole in his possession ten minutes after their theft . How was he to get rid of them to-night ? It was after midnight . Many of the guests had withdrawn to the veranda ; the lawns were filled with people walking about . Now Harry Townsend stood back of a row of lights that cast a deep shadow . He was talking to some acquaintances .