midnight
The effect was most interesting . The sudden nerve stimulus produced an equally sudden contraction of the extensors . The forearm straightened with a jerk , the fingers shot out straight and the released revolver flew clattering along the hall floor . `` Anatomy has its uses even in a midnight scuffle . `` The suddenness of my appearance and the promptness of my action paralyzed him completely . He stared at me in abject terror and gibbered inarticulately . Only for a few moments , however .