midnight
Leading her into a private room , and seating her comfortably there Elsie had it brought and laid before her . Mrs. Carrington gave it one glance , and motioning it away with a look and gesture of horror , dropped her face into her hands and groaned aloud . Elsie kneeling by her side , clasped her arms about her and wept with her . `` A slayer of the weak and helpless -- a murderer -- a midnight assassin ! '' groaned the half distracted aunt . `` May there not possibly be some mistake . Let us give him the benefit of the doubt , '' whispered Elsie .