midnight
It seemed to him that the pride of his host would take much more offence at its transmission through the hands of a third person than at the frank tone of its reasonings and suggestions . And George had determined to re-enclose it to the Colonel , urging him to forward it himself to Darrell just as it was , with but a brief line to say , `` that , on reflection , Alban submitted direct to his old school-fellow the reasonings and apprehensions which he had so unreservedly poured forth in a letter commenced without the intention at which the writer arrived at the close . '' But now that the preacher had undertaken the duty of an advocate , the letter became his brief . George passed through the library , through the study , up the narrow stair that finally conducted to the same lofty cell in which Darrell had confronted the midnight robber who claimed a child in Sophy . With a nervous hand George knocked at the door . Unaccustomed to any intrusion on the part of guest or household in that solitary retreat , somewhat sharply , as if in anger , Darrell 's voice answered the knock . `` Who 's there ? ''