midnight
Being alone , Mr. Ravenslee switched off the lights and sat in the fire-glow . `` Feminine gender , singular number , objective case , governed by the verb -- to love -- I wonder ! '' And he laughed a little bitterly -LRB- and very youthfully -RRB- as he stared down into the dying fire . A clock in the hall without struck midnight , but Mr. Ravenslee sat there long after the silvery chime had died away , his chin sunk upon his broad chest , his sombre eyes staring blindly at the fading embers , lost in profound and gloomy meditation . But , all at once , he started and glanced swiftly around toward a certain window , the curtains of which were only partly drawn , and his lounging attitude changed instantly to one of watchful alertness . As he sat thus , broad shoulders stooped , feet drawn up -- poised for swift action , he beheld a light that flashed here and there , that vanished and came again , hovering up and down and to and fro outside the window ; wherefore he reached out a long arm in the gloom and silently opened a certain drawer in the escritoire . Came a soft click , a faint creak , and a breath of cool , fragrant air as the window was cautiously opened , and a shapeless something climbed through , while Mr. Ravenslee sat motionless -- waiting .