midnight
Mr. Stephens glanced up in surprise from the paper which he was studying and hesitated a moment . Who could be ringing his bell at that late hour ? Presently he stepped out into the hall , slipped the bolt and admitted Theodore Mallery . The young man followed his employer into the brightly-lighted library ; it was the same room , with the same furnishings that it had worn that evening when he , a forlorn , trembling boy , had made his first call , and at midnight , on Mr. Stephens . `` What unearthly business brought you out at this hour ? '' said the wondering Mr. Stephens . `` Premonitions of evil , '' answered Theodore , laughing .