midnight
I 'm such a wretched public speaker , Ilse ; -- I can never remember what rejoinders to make until it 's too late . '' She did not mention her encounter with the unknown man ; Ilse had enough to occupy her . They chatted a few moments longer , then Ilse promised to call her if necessary , and said good-night . A little after midnight Palla 's telephone rang beside her bed and she started upright with a pang of fear and groped for the instrument . `` Jack is seriously ill , '' came the level voice of Ilse . `` We have taken him to the Memorial Hospital in one of their ambulances . '' `` W -- what is it ? ''