Eight o'clock
It appears that he first saw the man as he was nearing the top of the steps leading to the terrace . The fellow 's figure , in a crouching position , was distinctly outlined against the lighted window . `` Kind of a funny time for a robber to be monkeyin ' around a house , '' said Charlie Webster , after Courtney had concluded his brief story . `` Eight o'clock is no time to figure on breaking into a house . '' `` He probably figured that the occupants would be at dinner , '' said Courtney . `` Or maybe he was getting the lay of the land while there were lights to guide him . That is most likely the case .