midnight
Dr. Cairn came to his feet as though he had been electrified ; and as he raised the receiver to his ear , his son knew , by the expression on his face , from where the message came and something of its purport . `` Come with me , '' was all that he said , when he had replaced the instrument on the table . They went out together . It was already past midnight , but a cab was found at the corner of Half-Moon Street , and within the space of five minutes they were at Lord Lashmore 's house . Excepting Chambers , Lord Lashmore 's valet , no servants were to be seen . `` They ran away , sir , out of the house , '' explained the man , huskily , `` when it happened . '' Dr. Cairn delayed for no further questions , but raced upstairs , his son close behind him .