midnight
And , choosing a time when the Edgware Road is at its busiest and most thronged , did another human being to death with lightning-like quickness and savagery . `` Within fifty yards of the deserted warehouse yard where he had lured his victim to destruction were passing up and down scores of happy , busy people , intent on their Christmas shopping . Into that cheerful throng he must have plunged within a moment of committing his atrocious crime . And it was only owing to the merest accident that the body was discovered as soon as it was -- that is , just after midnight . `` Dr. Dowtray , who was called to the spot at once , is of opinion that the woman had been dead at least three hours , if not four . It was at first thought -- we were going to say , hoped -- that this murder had nothing to do with the series which is now puzzling and horrifying the whole of the civilised world . But no -- pinned on the edge of the dead woman 's dress was the usual now familiar triangular piece of grey paper -- the grimmest visiting card ever designed by the wit of man !