midnight
It was nearly four hours since Raffles had stolen away from my side in the ominous precincts of Scotland Yard . Where could he be ? Our landlady wrung her hands over him ; she had cooked a dinner after her favorite 's heart , and I let it spoil before making one of the most melancholy meals of my life . Up to midnight there was no sign of him ; but long before this time I had reassured our landlady with a voice and face that must have given my words the lie . I told her that Mr. Ralph -LRB- as she used to call him -RRB- had said something about going to the theatre ; that I thought he had given up the idea , but I must have been mistaken , and should certainly sit up for him . The attentive soul brought in a plate of sandwiches before she retired ; and I prepared to make a night of it in a chair by the sitting-room fire . Darkness and bed I could not face in my anxiety .