midnight
Innumerable conjectures flitted through her brain , but not one which she could catch hold of as a truth . Of one thing only she felt sure , that something very serious must have happened -- some great mental shock , too powerful for the Squire 's feeble old age . And this shock was certainly in some way or other connected with Major Harper . An hour later , when she was beginning to count every beat of the old man 's pulse , and look forward with dread to a midnight vigil beside that breathing corpse , the doctor came . Agatha waited for his dictum -- it needed very little skill to decide that . A few questions -- a shake of the head -- a solemn condolatory sigh ; and all knew that the old Squire 's days were numbered . `` How long ? ''