midnight
He started towards the door as he spoke , and I followed him . Just as we were about to draw the bolts , another knock , but much fainter , and a low , death-like groan , fell upon our ears . We started , and hesitated about proceeding ; but Rover looked up into our faces with such an expression , as though to encourage us to see what the matter was , that we determined to investigate , and no longer suspect a trick . We withdrew the bolts and suddenly threw open the door , and as we did so , the body of a man fell inward , and lay at our feet motionless , although by our lights , dim as they were , we could see that our midnight visitor was covered with blood . We were surprised and somewhat startled at the intrusion , but we did not stop to exchange surmises , or to ask questions . A man was lying at our feet , badly wounded , and was bleeding freely from half a dozen cuts or stabs . We considered that our first duty was to attend to him , and defend him , if necessary , from a fresh attack of assailants , and that after his wounds were dressed , and he was able to answer questions , then we could investigate the circumstances connected with his mysterious appearance at our door , and , if possible , bring to justice the perpetrators of the wrong .