midnight
Ferrier crept into the hall and listened intently . There was a pause for a few moments , and then the low insidious sound was repeated . Someone was evidently tapping very gently upon one of the panels of the door . Was it some midnight assassin who had come to carry out the murderous orders of the secret tribunal ? Or was it some agent who was marking up that the last day of grace had arrived . John Ferrier felt that instant death would be better than the suspense which shook his nerves and chilled his heart . Springing forward he drew the bolt and threw the door open .