midnight
The houses extended far back from the railroad , on considerably elevated hills . There was one main thoroughfare only , and this was deserted . The dwellings were dark . No one seemed stirring in the place , though midnight had not yet struck . Garrison was out for half an hour . When he returned his suit-case was closed . He thought nothing of a matter so trifling till he looked inside , and then he underwent a feeling as if it had been rifled .