nearly midnight
`` In money ? '' he asked , flicking the ash from his cigar and settling himself with ostentatious pretence of ease . `` In money -- nothing . '' At that very minute a knock sounded at the door , and mechanically consulting my watch , I saw that it was already nearly midnight . I had no reason to expect a visitor at that hour , and I stood listening in silence , while Hinge answered the summons at the door . There was a murmur of voices outside , and when I looked at Brunow I saw him start suddenly forward as if in the act to rise . For a second or two he set in an attitude of enforced attention , leaning forward with a hand on either arm of the chair , as if prepared to spring to his feet ; but observing that my eye was upon him , he sank back again and began to smoke once more .