about midnight
Suspicions as to the intentions of the Swede swarmed her brain . Might she not be infinitely worse off if she gave herself into his power than she already was ? No , she could be no worse off in company with the devil himself than with Nikolas Rokoff , for the devil at least bore the reputation of being a gentleman . She swore a dozen times that she would not leave the Kincaid without her baby , and yet she remained clothed long past her usual hour for retiring , and her blankets were neatly rolled and bound with stout cord , when about midnight there came a stealthy scratching upon the panels of her door . Swiftly she crossed the room and drew the bolt . Softly the door swung open to admit the muffled figure of the Swede . On one arm he carried a bundle , evidently his blankets .