midnight Sharp
His plans were craftily laid . Mr. Trevlyn , he had ascertained , would be absent on Thursday night ; he had taken a little journey into the country for his health , and only the servants and his ward would sleep in the house . Thursday night was dark and rainy . At midnight Sharp and Arch stood before the house they were about to plunder . No thought of shame or sin entered Archer Trevlyn 's heart ; he did not seem to think he was about to disgrace himself for life ; he thought only of Mr. Trevlyn 's dismay when he should return , to find the bulk of his riches swept away from him at one blow . `` He took all my father had , '' he said , under his breath ; `` he would have sullied the fair fame of my mother ; and if I could take from him everything but life , I would do it . '' Sharp , with a dexterous skill , removed the fastenings of a shutter , and then the window yielded readily to his touch .