midnight
Mervyn had authorized me to communicate so much of his story to Wortley , as would serve to vindicate him from the charge of being Welbeck 's co-partner in fraud ; but this end would only be counteracted by an imperfect tale , and the full recital , though it might exculpate Mervyn , might produce inconveniences by which this advantage would be outweighed . Wortley , as might be naturally expected , was by no means satisfied with this statement . He suspected that Mervyn was a wily impostor ; that he had been trained in the arts of fraud , under an accomplished teacher ; that the tale which he had told to me was a tissue of ingenious and plausible lies ; that the mere assertions , however plausible and solemn , of one like him , whose conduct had incurred such strong suspicions , were unworthy of the least credit . `` It can not be denied , '' continued my friend , `` that he lived with Welbeck at the time of his elopement ; that they disappeared together ; that they entered a boat , at Pine Street wharf , at midnight ; that this boat was discovered by the owner in the possession of a fisherman at Redbank , who affirmed that he had found it stranded near his door , the day succeeding that on which they disappeared . Of all this I can supply you with incontestable proof . If , after this proof , you can give credit to his story , I shall think you made of very perverse and credulous materials . '' `` The proof you mention , '' said I , `` will only enhance his credibility .