twelve o’clock
He then offered to produce several witnesses against this improbable accusation ; but the justice presently interrupted him , saying , `` Sirrah , your tongue betrays your guilt . You are an Irishman , and that is always sufficient evidence with me . '' The second criminal was a poor woman , who was taken up by the watch as a street-walker . It was alleged against her that she was found walking the streets after twelve o'clock , and the watchman declared he believed her to be a common strumpet . She pleaded in her defence -LRB- as was really the truth -RRB- that she was a servant , and was sent by her mistress , who was a little shopkeeper and upon the point of delivery , to fetch a midwife ; which she offered to prove by several of the neighbours , if she was allowed to send for them . The justice asked her why she had not done it before ? to which she answered , she had no money , and could get no messenger .