midnight
But the leafless trees , and the buildings about the open space , cast deep shadows . There was a light shining in a study window of the West Dormitory and that light was in the room occupied by the Triumvirate -- Ruth Fielding , Helen Cameron and Mercy Curtis . The two latter were abed , but awake and wondering why Ruth had not returned , and what Miss Scrimp had meant by coming to the door and telling them to leave the light burning . The clocks had long since struck eleven and it was close to midnight . The night was still , for there was no wind . It was possible that very few of either the scholars , teachers , or servants at Briarwood were awake . But almost directly under the light in the Triumvirate 's room another light burned -- in the study of the French teacher .