midnight
There was a private sitting-room adjoining , which he was wont to share with some of his fellow-journalists . They used it as a club writing-room when the proceedings of the court-martial were over for the day . He had his notes in his pocket ; his report was not yet written . He remembered that he must catch the midnight mail , and decided that he would not stop to dress . That day 's sitting had been longer than usual , and his walk along the shore had made him late . He passed straight through his bedroom , therefore , and into the sitting-room that overlooked the sea . A small , round-backed man , with a shag of black hair upon his face , was sitting by the window .