an hour after midnight
It showed me that in Mr. King I had to deal with a really wonderful and powerful man ; a man who ruled by means of FEAR ; a man of gigantic force . I had taken the pattern of the key fitting the Yale lock of the door of my room , and I secured a duplicate immediately . Soames has not access to the keys , you understand . I must rely upon my diplomacy to secure the same room again -- all turns upon that ; and at an hour after midnight , or later if advisable , Soames has agreed to let me out . Beyond this , I could induce him to do nothing -- nothing whatever . Cochon ! Therefore , having got out of the locked room , I must rely upon my own wits -- and the Browning pistol which I have presented to Soames together with the duplicate key '' ... `` Why not go armed ? ''