midnight
It was set in the middle of the block , with brick houses on either side of it . They entered a narrow hallway , and by the light above the door Dick saw them ascend the stairs to the second floor . There now seemed nothing to do but to await Tom 's return , and the youth retired to the opposite side of the street . It was late -- after midnight , in fact -- and the street was practically deserted . A half hour went by and Dick felt as if his brother would never return , when he heard swift footsteps behind him . `` So this is your game , eh ? '' cried the voice of Bradner , and of a sudden a club descended upon Dick 's head and he went down as if shot .