nearly three o'clock
What should be done with it ? Should he let his employer know at once of the proof which he now held against him ? Or should he hold it for a few days and await developments ? It was nearly three o'clock when he was aroused from his abstraction by a slight sound , as of stealthy footsteps in the rear of the house . He listened intently for a moment , but hearing nothing further and discovering the lateness of the hour , he hastily extinguished the light and , too exhausted and weary to undress , threw himself as he was upon a couch and was soon sleeping heavily . The sun was shining brightly into his room , when Harry Scott was awakened the next morning by a woman 's scream , followed by cries and sobs and a confused sound of running to and fro . Almost before he could collect his thoughts , he heard steps approaching his room , and , rising , hastily exchanged the smoking-jacket in which he had slept for a coat .