midnight
He was walking up and down the spacious unluxurious room , half office , half library , smoking a cigar . Upon a large table in the centre of the room stood two powerful reading lamps with green shades , illuminating a chaotic mass of books and pamphlets , heaped and scattered all over the table , save just on that spot between the two lamps , which accommodated Mr. Fitzpatrick 's blotting pad and inkpot , a pewter inkpot which held about a pint . ` How d'ye do , Hartfield ? Glad you 've looked me up at last , ' said the Irishman , as if a midnight call were the most natural thing in the world . ` Just come from the House ? ' ` No ; I 've just come from Westmoreland . I thought I should find you among those everlasting books of yours , late as it is .