midnight
We were all in high spirits , and laughed and chatted freely . Limpet , and O'Brien who had returned after satisfying himself as to the true identity of the false Matthieu , who had driven straight home , kept pacing up and down in front of the area railings , evidently half suspecting that we had played them a trick . All that night we sat round the kitchen fire , chatting and dozing alternately . At midnight Deveril came , accompanied by two other officers , who relieved Limpet and O'Brien . The next morning , as the clock hands pointed to 9.15 , a loud rat-tat resounded through the house . Deveril , with our two friends of the previous day , accompanied by three uniformed policemen , were on the doorstep . Combrisson opened to them with his most engaging smile .