one o'clock
`` I went to bed as usual , '' said Garvington , wearily , for the events of the night had tired him out , `` and everyone else retired some time about midnight . I went round with the footmen and the butler to see that everything was safe , for I was too anxious to let them look after things without me . Then I heard a noise of footsteps on the gravel outside , just as I was dropping off to sleep -- '' `` About what time was that , my lord ? '' `` Half-past one o'clock ; I ca n't be certain as to a minute . I jumped up and laid hold of my revolver , which was handy . I always kept it beside me in case of a burglary . Then I stole downstairs in slippers and pajamas to the passage , -- oh , here . ''