midnight
`` A woman ? '' `` Absolutely a woman ; flesh and blood , no doubt as to that . '' `` When was this ? '' `` After midnight . '' `` It was not I , Captain West ; please believe that -- but hush ; there comes Percival Coolidge ! '' The newcomer stood at the edge of the front steps , and paused long enough to light a cigarette before descending . His features were as clear cut as though done in marble , and about as expressive .