midnight
Then I bethought me of that brown coat that had upon it the blood which I had been allowed to shed for my beloved Gouverneur Faulkner who was now lost to me . `` That I will take and discard the night raiment , to sleep ` as is ' in the manner spoken of by my friend , that Mr. G. Slade of Detroit , '' I counseled myself as I laid aside the silken garments that I did so like and placed in their stead the bloody coat of many wrinkles . After all of that was accomplished I went into a hot bath and again quickly began to assume my man 's clothing , while from my eyes dripped the slow tears that bleed from the heart of a woman . `` You must make a great hurry , thief Roberta , for it draws near midnight and that is the hour that the train departs to the North , '' I cautioned my weeping self . `` At that hour you go forth into the world alone . '' And then what ensued ? Very suddenly I heard the noise of a car being drawn to the curb in front of the house and the rapid steps of a man progress along the pavings of brick to the front door , at which he made a loud ringing .