midnight
There were things that he needed there that would probably be absolutely essential to him before the night was out , things without which he might be so badly handicapped as to invite failure from the start ; and yet -- it was already midnight ! Ostensibly both Makoff and Spider Jack closed their places at eleven . But that might mean anything -- depending upon their own respective inclinations , or on what of their own peculiar brand of deviltry might be afoot . If they were still about , still in evidence , he was still too early , midnight though it was ; though , on the other hand , if the coast was clear , he could ill afford to lose a moment of the time between now and the hour that the Magpie had planned for the robbery of Henry LaSalle , for it would not be an easy matter , even once inside Spider Jack 's , to find that package -- since it was Spider 's open boast that things committed to his care were where the police , or any one else , might as well whistle and suck their thumbs as try to find them ! And then , with sudden decision , taking his hesitation , as it were , by the throat , Jimmie Dale hurried on again -- to the Sanctuary . At most , it could delay him but another fifteen minutes , and by half-past twelve , or a quarter to one at the latest , he would be at Spider Jack 's . Disdaining the secrecy of the side door on the alley , for who had a better right or was better known there than Larry the Bat , a tenant of years , he entered the tenement by the front door , scuffled up the stairs to the first landing , and let himself into his disreputable room .