nearly midnight
Mr. Stiffson 's bugbear in life was lest he should over-sleep . He seldom failed to wake of his own accord ; but , constitutionally lacking in self-reliance , he felt that at any moment he might commit the unpardonable sin of over-sleeping . Bindle returned to his room to await the arrival of Miss Cissie Boye . It was nearly midnight when his alert ear caught the sound of a taxi drawing up outside . As he opened the outer door , Miss Cissie Boye appeared at the top of the stone-steps . Bindle caught a glimpse of a dainty little creature in a long travelling coat with fur at the collar , cuffs and round the bottom , a small travelling hat and a thick veil . `` Oh , can you help with my luggage ? ''