midnight
But he knew that he must make sure . He must not go to the police , or to the committee , with an unproved tale . He must wait and investigate and prove . He waited , in the dark archway beneath the crazy jumble of houses , with the sudden voices and footfalls of the midnight city echoing from time to time in the dark streets beyond . He waited and waited and waited . Now and then a dog or a cat rushed by him , startling him . Then , after twenty minutes or so , he wearied of waiting .