midnight
`` You must know , then , that a few of my old domestics , who served the late earl and myself while we lived at Castle Cragg , still remain there in the service of the present earl 's family , which is always represented at the castle by Lord Vincent . Among them there are two who , it appears , became very much attached to your ladyship . I allude to the housekeeper , Jean Murdock , and the major-domo , Cuthbert Allan . '' `` Yes , they were very kind ; but , after all , it was old Cuthbert who sent that note to Lord Vincent , which brought him from the play at midnight to burst into my room and find his wretched valet hidden there , '' replied Claudia gravely . `` Yes ; Cuthbert saw the valet steal into your room and sent word to his master , as in duty bound . But , after witnessing the scene of his discovery , Cuthbert 's mind instantly cleared your ladyship of suspicion and rushed to the conclusion that the miserable valet concealed himself in your boudoir unknown to you and for the purpose of robbery . I , for my part , believe he was placed there with the connivance of Lord Vincent , and that old Cuthbert was made to play a blind part in that conspiracy . ''