midnight
The judge , with a last look , stooped over the book . The hands of the clock pointed to a quarter to ten . `` Father , I have my whole future in which to thank you , '' cried Frederick , seizing the check his father held out to him and making rapidly for the door . `` I will be back before midnight . '' And he flung himself down-stairs just as the front door opened and Wattles stepped in . `` Ah , '' exclaimed the latter , as his eye fell on the paper fluttering in the other 's hand , `` I expected money , not paper . '' `` The paper is good , '' answered Frederick , drawing him swiftly out of the house .