Midnight
It will fortify Monsieur against the damp air . '' Laughing a little , Paul suffered the man to bustle about . The fellow was deft indeed , and soon Verdayne was glad that he had listened to his counsel . Midnight drew near and the porter turned the lights out , but Paul sat until cockcrow , smoking and pondering on the strange paths into which one 's feet are sometimes led . * * * * * Shortly after eight , the man , who had been busy cleaning boots , returned and made a gesture towards the sunlight , which was streaming into the room . `` If Monsieur is in haste , '' he said , `` I will not seek to detain him . By this time the other hotels will be open .