midnight
The truth would clear him -- since with that truth he would produce witnesses to it , establishing his movements completely . But the truth would send a man to his death ; and so for the sake of that man 's life he was driven into falsehood . `` I was on my way to see you , '' he said . `` At midnight ? '' cried Sir Terence on a note of grim doubt . `` To what purpose ? '' `` Really , Sir Terence , if my word is not sufficient , I refuse to submit to cross-examination . ''