ten o'clock at night
The window of Loring 's room opened on the crude wooden gallery that ran the length of the hotel , and he kept it open from the bottom for such air as could be obtained . A note lay on the mantel shelf when he returned from the office late in the afternoon . This he had taken downstairs , inclosed it , unopened , in one of the coarse hotel envelopes , addressed and sent it by a messenger to Mrs. Burton 's . At ten o'clock at night , in his shirt sleeves , he was packing a valise , when at the open window , on the gallery without , there appeared suddenly a slender , graceful , girlish form ; a fair face gazed appealingly , imploringly in , and a soft voice pronounced his name . Starting up , he stepped quickly toward the apparition . One instant the lovely face lighted with hope , joy , triumph , then changed to sudden wrath before the shade , pulled vehemently down , shut it from sight . Even as she stood there , baffled , `` a woman scorned '' in the presence and hearing of another , who nevertheless stepped quickly forward to express her opinion of such heartless , soulless conduct despite the interposing shade , there came a sharp , imperative rap on Loring 's door , and the summons `` Wanted at headquarters at once , sir ! ''