midnight
And a conviction on the charges of forgery and murder would , of course , invalidate the second will . '' `` I shall enter a caveat , all the same , '' repeated Mr. Winwood . As the two partners showed a disposition to become heated over this question , Thorndyke suggested that they might discuss it at leisure by the light of subsequent events . Acting on this hint -- for it was now close upon midnight -- our visitors prepared to depart ; and were , in fact , just making their way towards the door when the bell rang . Thorndyke flung open the door , and , as he recognized his visitor , greeted him with evident satisfaction . `` Ha ! Mr. Miller ; we were just speaking of you .