twelve o'clock
Cecil Barker , much excited , had rushed up to the door and pealed furiously upon the bell . A terrible tragedy had occurred at the Manor House , and John Douglas had been murdered . That was the breathless burden of his message . He had hurried back to the house , followed within a few minutes by the police sergeant , who arrived at the scene of the crime a little after twelve o'clock , after taking prompt steps to warn the county authorities that something serious was afoot . On reaching the Manor House , the sergeant had found the drawbridge down , the windows lighted up , and the whole household in a state of wild confusion and alarm . The white-faced servants were huddling together in the hall , with the frightened butler wringing his hands in the doorway . Only Cecil Barker seemed to be master of himself and his emotions ; he had opened the door which was nearest to the entrance and he had beckoned to the sergeant to follow him .