midnight
`` You 'll spill your wine , '' said Major Vernon . `` I 'm very sorry for you if your nerves are no better than that . '' * * * * * * * * * When Major Vernon that night left his friend , he carried away with him half-a-dozen cheques for different amounts , making in all two thousand pounds , upon that private banking-account which Mr. Dunbar kept for himself in the house of Dunbar , Dunbar , and Balderby . It was after midnight when the banker opened the hall-door , and passed out with the Major upon the broad stone flags under the Gothic porch . There was no rain now ; but it was very dark , and the north-easterly winds were blowing amongst the leafless branches of giant oaks and elms . `` Shall you present those cheques yourself ? '' Henry Dunbar asked , as the two men were about to part .