nearly midnight
After a short consultation O'Driscoll consented to remain near the boat with Rockets , while I proceeded alone to the house . If I was well received I was to summon him . My heart beat pretty fast as I approached the door . It did not occur to me till my hand was actually on the knocker that it was nearly midnight , and that in all probability the family would be in bed . However , I knocked with tolerable distinctness , and then waited the result . I saw lights gleaming at the windows , and before long a voice in negro accents asked who was there and what was wanted . `` A messenger with important information for Colonel Carlyon or his daughter , '' I answered .