midnight
There were ugly stories of murders and mysteries under those dark staircases , and even the police drew the line at Driver 's Court , and gave it the go-by . Jeffreys had nothing to apprehend as he rushed down the passage . He had neither watch , chain , nor money , nor good coat . His footsteps echoing noisily in the midnight silence brought a few heads to their windows , and almost before he stood in the court there was the cry of `` Fire ! '' Terrible anywhere , such a cry in a court like Driver 's was terrible indeed . In a moment the narrow pavement swarmed with people , shouting , cursing , and screaming . Although even yet the flames scarcely appeared from below , a panic set in which it was hopeless either to remove or control .