midnight
The hour-hand of his watch crept to ten , to eleven , to twelve . Roberts rose occasionally , stretched himself to avoid any chance of cramped muscles , and counted stars by way of entertainment . He had spent more diverting evenings , but there was a good chance that the fag end of this one would be lively enough to compensate . Shortly after midnight a shaft of light reached out from the house into the desert . The back door had opened . A woman came out , took a few steps forward , peered about her , and called that all was clear . A man followed .