midnight
Followed by his uniformed myrmidons , the police official pushed his way to the corner where sat Howard , dazed and trembling , and still guarded by the valet and elevator boys . `` What 's the matter here ? '' demanded the captain gruffly , and looking from Ferris to the white-faced Howard . The valet eagerly told his story : `` I came home at midnight , sir , and found my master , Mr. Robert Underwood , lying dead in the apartment , shot through the head . '' Pointing to Howard , he added : `` This man was in the apartment trying to get away . You see his hand is still covered with blood . '' Captain Clinton chuckled , and expanding his mighty chest to its fullest , licked his chops with satisfaction .