midnight
He made believe that he was at a loss to find a foothold on his greasy pole , but was seeking one in complete ignorance of what would be found at the top of it . This shallow piece of self-deception was ripe for disillusionment when Sally took its victim out for a walk round to show him the place . It had the feeblest hold on existence during the remainder of the day , throughout which our medical friend went on dram-drinking , knowing the dangers of his nectar-draughts , but as helpless against them as any other dram-drinker . It broke down completely and finally between moonrise and midnight -- a period that began with Sally calling under Iggulden 's window , `` Come out , Dr. Conrad , and see the phosphorescence in the water ; it 's going to be quite bright presently , '' and ended with , `` Good gracious , how late it is ! Sha n't we catch it ? '' an exclamation both contributed to . For it was certainly past eleven o'clock .