midnight
Stop the taxi fifty yards from the house . I 'll let you in when you whistle . '' Things took place as Ganimard had arranged . Shortly after midnight , when all the lights were out on the upper floors , he slipped into the street and went to meet M. Dudouis . There was a hurried consultation . The officers distributed themselves as Ganimard ordered . Then the chief and the chief-inspector walked back together , noiselessly crossed the garden and closeted themselves with every precaution : `` Well , what 's it all about ? ''