midnight
Suddenly the stars flashed upon them . A hole had already been made above them , and in this hole they saw the head of a native against the sky . They remained perfectly still and silent , and watched the hole grow . Silently , deftly , the midnight marauder plucked handful after handful of the reed thatch away and enlarged the opening . Both of those below who watched him , had grasped by this time what it all meant . This was no man in the pay of U Saw , who suspected a hiding-place ; it was just a common thief , pure and simple , who had an eye to nothing save the widow 's paddy . Believing that she was alone and defenceless in the house , he had come to plunder her loft .