midnight
He first looked about , carefully but quickly , and then glanced at his watch . He had at least two hours in which to do his work . Any time after that Pobloff might return . And by midnight at least the Prince 's valet would be back from Nice , to begin packing his master 's boxes . He slipped into the bedroom , and took from the bed a blanket and comforter . These he draped above the hall door , to muffle any chance sound . Then he turned to the northeast corner of the room , where stood what seemed to be a dressing cabinet , with little shelves and a plate-glass mirror above it .