midnight
He wished Quimby to be satisfied , but not at Mrs. Quimby 's expense . He was really fond of the woman and he was resolved that she should have no cause to grieve , even if he had to break with the old man . Little did any of them foresee what the night really held for them , or on what a jagged and unsuspected rock their frail bark was about to split . Shutting-up time came , and with it the usual midnight quiet . All the doors had been locked and the curtains drawn over the windows and across the glass doors of the office . They were determined to do what they had never done before , lay out the loot and make a division . Quimby was resolved to see the diamonds which his wife had kept hidden for so long , and she , the securities , concerning the value of which he had contradicted himself so often .