About midnight
`` Select one of them , '' he said , `` and I will retain the other . Borne by messengers , they will always identify us each to the other . '' The two grew more cordial , and there was much further conversation across the board , interspersed with attentions to the fruit basket and pomegranate water . About midnight the Emir took his departure . When he was gone , the host walked to and fro a long time ; once he halted , and said aloud -- `` I hear his salute , ` Hail Mahommed , Conqueror of Constantinople ! ' It is always well to have a store of strings for one 's bow . '' And to himself he laughed heartily .