midnight
Not only was there an infinity that we might look up to through the stars , but there was another just as great , co-existent , here upon the earth . The occult became not only possible , but unlimited . The next few minutes would prove whether or not he had told the truth . It was now close to midnight . Jerome and General Hume had returned from Berkeley . Their quest had been successful ; Watson now had the missing green stone . A number of soldiers were stationed about the house .