midnight
Under the signature of E. H. he would write thrilling tales , until the public insisted upon knowing the great unknown . Then he could reverse present experience by scorning those who had scorned him . He recalled all that he had ever read about genius toiling in its attic until the world was compelled to recognize and do homage to the regal mind . He would remain in seclusion also ; he would burn midnight oil until he should come to be known as Haldane the brilliant writer instead of Haldane the gambler , drunkard , and thief . All on fire with his new project , he sallied forth to the nearest news-stand , and selected two or three papers and magazines , whose previous interest to him and known popularity suggested that they were the best mediums in which he could rise upon the public as a literary star , all the more attractive because unnamed and unknown . His next proceeding indicated a commendable amount of shrewdness , and proved that his roseate visions resulted more from ignorance and inexperience than from innate foolishness . He carefully read the periodicals he had bought , in the hope of obtaining hints and suggestions from their contents which would aid him in producing acceptable manuscripts .