twelve o'clock
Marchetto returned to the original question . `` If it is worth so much , why do you not take it to one of the embassies ? '' asked Balsamides at last . He had resolved that he would prolong the discussion until twelve o'clock , judging that by midday the negro would be on his way back to Yeni Köj , and that there would be no further chance of seeing him . He therefore broached the subject of Marchetto 's trade with the foreigners , knowing that once upon this tack the Jew would have endless stories and anecdotes to relate . But Gregorios was not destined to stand in need of so much ingenuity . He would never have made the attempt in which he was now engaged unless he had anticipated success , and he was not surprised when a tall , smooth-faced negro , of hideous countenance but exceedingly well dressed , put his head into the shop .