midnight
He was terrified when he recognized in the Sultan 's medical adviser the man who had scattered the crowd in the bazaar , and who had so startled him by his references to the ring , the box , and the chain . He was frightened , but he knew he could not attempt to resist the imperial order , and after a moment 's hesitation he answered . `` The Khanum Effendi , '' he said , `` is indeed very ill . It is past midnight , and no one in the harem thinks of sleep . I will prepare the Khanum for the Effendi 's visit . '' Thereupon he withdrew , and we were once more left alone . I confess that my courage rose as I grew more confident of the excellence of my disguise .