midnight
`` Will he consent to a partnership ? '' `` We shall have him at our mercy . He dare n't refuse . '' Raffles 's plan was to gain access to Lord Ernest 's rooms before midnight ; there we were to lie in wait for the aristocratic rascal , and if I left all details to Raffles , and simply stood by in case of a rumpus , I should be playing my part and earning my share . It was a part that I had played before , not always with a good grace , though there had never been any question about the share . But to-night I was nothing loath . I had had just champagne enough -- how Raffles knew my measure !