midnight
By the time Howard reached the main entrance he was intercepted by a mob too numerous to resist . Things certainly looked black for him . As he sat , white and trembling , under guard in a corner of the entrance hall , waiting for the arrival of the police , the valet breathlessly gave the sensational particulars to the rapidly growing crowd of curious onlookers . He had taken his usual Sunday out and on returning home at midnight , as was his custom , he had let himself in with his latchkey . To his astonishment he had found this man , the prisoner , about to leave the premises . His manner and remarks were so peculiar that they at once aroused his suspicion . He hurried into the apartment and found his master lying dead on the floor in a pool of blood .