twelve o'clock
But it was decided that all the men should keep awake . If the letter was delivered anywhere in the big room , they wanted to know and they meant to know who brought it . The police do not recognize miracles . At twelve o'clock M. Desmalions had coffee served to his subordinates . He himself took two cups and never ceased walking from one end to the other of the room , or climbing the staircase that led to the attic , or going through the passage and hall . Preferring that the watch should be maintained under the most favourable conditions , he left all the doors opened and all the electric lights on . Mazeroux objected : `` It has to be dark for the letter to come .