midnight
`` Now I 'll hear your story , '' said Tom . `` I 'll make it as short as possible , '' went on the queer man . `` To begin with , it is now several years ago since a poorly dressed stranger applied to me one night for money enough to get a meal and a bed to sleep in . I was living in New York City at the time , and this was midnight , as I was returning home from my club . `` I was touched by the man 's appearance , and gave him some money . He asked for my card , saying he would repay me some day . I gave it to him , little thinking I would hear from the man again .