An hour after midnight
She bent forward a little , unconsciously throwing over me the same sort of spell that now dominated her . In my own eagerness I leaned forward , my right elbow resting upon my knee , and with bated breath , waited for her to continue . When she did resume , it was with a suppressed intensity that is indescribable . `` This is what the old servant told you : An hour after midnight there was a peremptory summons at the door , and when he opened it he discovered beyond the threshold , one of those terrible details of fiends which the Third Section sends out on its foulest errands ; but he did not dream that they were after your sister ; he only thought that you were in trouble . The officer in charge went straight to the door of your sister 's room , as if he were as familiar with the internal arrangements of the house , as were its regular inmates . He threw the door ajar without warning , and followed by the scoundrels who accompanied him , entered the room where your sister was in bed . Sleeping innocence was aroused by a brutal command .