midnight
The secrets of his outward appearance were known to him alone , but they were of a nature to discourage the hope of raising money on coat or trousers . A few well-thumbed volumes of Russian authors could not be expected to find a brilliant sale in Munich at a moment 's notice . He looked about , and he saw that there was nothing , and he turned very pale . `` And yet , before midnight , it must be paid , '' he said . Then his face brightened again . `` Before midnight -- but they will be here before then , of course . Perhaps I may borrow the money for a few hours . ''