midnight
He looked at me with a last long , questioning gaze , and then , pressing my hand in a cold , dank grasp , he hurried from the room . `` Well , when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very much astonished , as you may both think , at this sudden commission which had been intrusted to me . On the one hand , of course , I was glad , for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked had I set a price upon my own services , and it was possible that this order might lead to other ones . On the other hand , the face and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon me , and I could not think that his explanation of the fuller 's - earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my coming at midnight , and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell anyone of my errand . However , I threw all fears to the winds , ate a hearty supper , drove to Paddington , and started off , having obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue . `` At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station . However , I was in time for the last train to Eyford , and I reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock .