one o’clock
He was all in all to her . She danced with several partners , having first made a rendezvous with her mother at midnight at a certain spot under one of the great palms in the promenade . At masked balls the chaperon is useless , and everyone , being masked , looks so much alike that mistakes are easy . About half-past one o'clock a big motor-car drew up in the Place before the Casino , and a tall man in a white fancy dress of a cavalier , with wide-brimmed hat and staggering plume , stepped from it and , presenting his ticket , passed at once into the crowded ball-room . For a full ten minutes he stood watching the crowd of revellers intently , eyeing each of them keenly , though the expression on his countenance was hidden by the strip of black velvet . His eyes , shining through the slits in the mask , were , however , dark and brilliant . In them could be seen alertness and eagerness , for it was apparent that he had come there hot-foot in search of someone .