midnight
The fact that he was not accustomed to view me in such a light in itself probably explained the originality of his method . We were on pleasant terms . Drayton was a good fellow . Who knew better than he what would be the professional significance of the circumstance that Dr. Thorne was seen intoxicated down town at midnight ? The city would ring with it in twelve hours , and it would not be for me , though I had been the most popular doctor in town , to undo the deed of that slander , if once it so much as lifted its invisible hand against the proud and pure reputation in whose shelter I lived and laboured , and had been suffered to become what we call `` eminent . '' It was possible , too , that the inspector had some human regard for my family in this matter , and reasoned that to spare them the knowledge of my supposed disgrace was the truest kindness wherewith it was in his power to serve me . He meant to leave me where I was and as I was to sleep it off till morning .