midnight
At length they were rewarded . A morning paper made brief mention of a smoker that was to be given on the following evening by the German minister . De Coude 's name was among those of the invited guests . If he attended this meant that he would be absent from his home until after midnight . On the night of the banquet Paulvitch waited at the curb before the residence of the German minister , where he could scan the face of each guest that arrived . He had not long to wait before De Coude descended from his car and passed him . That was enough .