midnight
Horrified , Archie turned his bloodshot eyes toward Roseleaf . What could this strange visit of Hannibal 's to that vicinity presage ? Did he intend to murder the master of the house and abduct the daughter ? What was he doing there , at an hour not much short of midnight ? The terrors of his previous imaginings gave way to yet more horrible ones . But the mute appeal that he shot at his companion produced no answer , except a resolute shake of the head -- an absolute prohibition against the least sound or movement . Hannibal reached the fence and , without any attempt at concealment , climbed over it into the enclosure where were situated the house and outbuildings of the Oakhurst estate .