midnight
responded Ned Davis , the red-headed call boy for the roundhouse of the Great Northern , familiarly known as `` Torchy . '' `` Extra orders for you and Fogg -- you 're to take out a special to-night . '' There was always a spice of novelty and excitement for the young engineer in running a special . Besides that , extra orders meant pay and a half , sometimes double pay , with twenty-four hours ' rest after it , if the special run came after midnight . Ralph arose from his seat in the summer-house , telling Ned Davis that Fogg and himself would report at the roundhouse at once . `` You 'll have to excuse me , Porter , '' he said to his guest . `` We 'll have to postpone our talk until to-morrow . ''