twelve o'clock
` Some time ago Mr. Deering asked me for something that I did not want to give him . ' -LRB- I looks at the girl , and she turns as red as a pickled beet . -RRB- ` I told him , ' says the old guy , ` if he would earn his own living for three months without being discharged for incompetence , I would give him what he wanted . It seems that the time was up at twelve o'clock to-night . I came near fetching you , though , Deering , on that soup question , ' says the old boy , standing up and grabbing Sir Percival 's hand . `` The halberdier lets out a yell and jumps three feet high . '' ` Look out for those hands , ' says he , and he holds 'em up .