midnight
The House With Three Eyes sent forth into the darkness a triple glow of hospitality . Through the aloof Chelsea district street , beyond the westernmost L structure , came taxicabs , hansoms , private autos , to discharge at the central door men who were presently revealed , under the lucent globe above the lintel , to be for the most part silhouette studies in the black of festal tailoring and silk hat against the white of expansive shirt-front . Occasionally , though less often , one of the doors at either flank of the house , also overwatched by shining orbs , opened to discharge an early departure . A midnight wayfarer , pausing opposite to contemplate this inexplicable grandeur in a dingy neighborhood , sought enlightenment from the passing patrolman : `` Wot 's doin ' ? Swell gamblin ' joint ? Huh ? '' As he spoke a huge , silent car crept swiftly to the entry , which opened to swallow up two bareheaded , luxuriously befurred women , with their escorts .