midnight
And this is the story of Three Forks Tavern and the room numbered 3 . It was the last house in Beauchamp Row , and it stood several rods away from its nearest neighbour . It was a pretty house in the daytime , but owing to its deep , sloping roof and small bediamonded windows it had a lonesome look at night , notwithstanding the crimson hall-light which shone through the leaves of its vine-covered doorway . Ned Chivers lived in it with his six months ' married bride , and as he was both a busy fellow and a gay one there were many evenings when pretty Letty Chivers sat alone until near midnight . She was of an uncomplaining spirit , however , and said little , though there were times when both the day and evening seemed very long and married life not altogether the paradise she had expected . On this evening -- a memorable evening for her , the 24th of December , 1911 -- she had expected her husband to remain with her , for it was not only Christmas eve , but the night when , as manager of a large manufacturing concern , he brought up from New York the money with which to pay off the men on the next working day , and he never left her when there was any unusual amount of money in the house . But with the first glimpse she had of his figure coming up the road she saw that for some reason it was not to be thus to-night , and , indignant , alarmed almost , at the prospect of a lonesome evening under such circumstances , she ran hastily down to the gate to meet him , crying : `` Oh , Ned , you look so troubled I know you have only come home for a hurried supper .