midnight
His knock , sharp and insistent , was one of practice , a summons which would not be mistaken by the occupants of adjoining staterooms , nor was it likely to disturb them . After a moment , light showed at the opened transom . Some one rustled about within , and in another instant the door opened far enough to admit a head from which dark masses of hair floated , framing a face that was white and inquisitive . At sight of her midnight visitor Romola Borria opened her door wide and smiled a little sleepily . She had paused long enough in arising to slip into a negligee , a kimono of blackest satin , revealing at the baglike sleeves and the fold which fell back from her throat a lining of blood-red silk . One hand was caught up to her throat in a gesture of surprise , and the other was concealed behind her , catching , as Peter surmised , nothing if not his own automatic revolver , which had been loaded , ready for instant use , immediately the safety-catch was released . She stared at him softly , with eyes still mirroring the depths of the sleep from which he had so rudely aroused her , her delicate red lips forming a curious smile .