midnight
She called for the maid , Annie , whose husband was the janitor of the house , and who slept in the top story . `` If Henry has n't gone to bed , '' said Laura , `` tell him to wait up till I call him , or to sleep with his clothes on . There is something I want him to do for me -- something important . '' It was close upon midnight . Laura turned back into her room , removed her hat and veil , and tossed them , with her coat , upon the bed . She lit another burner of the chandelier , and drew a chair to her writing-desk between the windows . Her first note was to Landry Court .