eleven
o'clock at night
When they came within range of the light , I recognized Halsey , and with him Mrs. Watson , the housekeeper . The most commonplace incident takes on a new appearance if the attendant circumstances are unusual . There was no reason on earth why Mrs. Watson should not have carried a blanket down the east wing staircase , if she so desired . But to take a blanket down at eleven o'clock at night , with every precaution as to noise , and , when discovered , to fling it at Halsey and bolt -- Halsey 's word , and a good one -- into the grounds , -- this made the incident more than significant . They moved slowly across the lawn and up the steps . Halsey was talking quietly , and Mrs. Watson was looking down and listening . She was a woman of a certain amount of dignity , most efficient , so far as I could see , although Liddy would have found fault if she dared .