midnight
asked Miss O'Driscol , `` this person of such wonderful mystery ? I have never seen him , but I wish I could . '' `` Ay , have you , often -- I 'll engage , Miss. '' `` And so do I , '' added her father ; `` I wish to see him also , and to have everything mysterious cleared up . '' `` Well , '' continued the pedlar , `` I know nothing myself about him , only as I hear ; but if all 's thrue that 's said , he could give your father , and you , Mr. Alick , lave to walk through the whole counthry in the hour of noonday or midnight , widout a finger ever bein ' raised against one o ' you ; and as for you , Mr. O'Driscol , he could have the house pulled about your ears in an hour 's time , if he wished -- ay , and he would , too , if he heard that you spoke a harsh word of him . '' `` As for me , Cannie , '' replied the magistrate , `` I trust I 'm a Christian man , and not in the habit of abusing the absent . Indeed , I do n't see what right any one has to make impertinent inquiries into the life or way of living of any respectable person -- I do not see it , Cannie ; and , I assure you , I always set my face against such prying inquiries . '' `` I know , myself , '' continued the pedlar , `` that there 's a great many things said about him , an ' people wishes to know who he is .