midnight
`` I can understand , '' said Mr. Hamlin , a professional brother , to whom Mr. Oakhurst 's letter was shown , -- `` I can understand why Jack goes in heavy and builds ; for it 's a sure spec , and is bound to be a mighty soft thing in time , if he comes here regularly . But why in blank he do n't set up a bank this season , and take the chance of getting some of the money back that he puts into circulation in building , is what gets me . I wonder now , '' he mused deeply , `` what IS his little game . '' The season had been a prosperous one to Mr Oakhurst , and proportionally disastrous to several members of the legislature , judges , colonels , and others who had enjoyed but briefly the pleasure of Mr. Oakhurst 's midnight society . And yet Sacramento had become very dull to him . He had lately formed a habit of early morning walks , so unusual and startling to his friends , both male and female , as to occasion the intensest curiosity . Two or three of the latter set spies upon his track ; but the inquisition resulted only in the discovery that Mr. Oakhurst walked to the Plaza , sat down upon one particular bench for a few moments , and then returned without seeing anybody ; and the theory that there was a woman in the case was abandoned .