midnight
Whatever can I do ? '' she sobbed . But the night held no answer to her despair . The little sweet-toned French clock that stood on the mantel above the fireplace in the library chimed the half hour after midnight as the Honorable Milton Waring replenished the decanter and pried the cap from a fresh bottle of plain soda . `` Even if all the servants have been dismissed for the night , that is no reason why we ca n't have another little drink , gentlemen . J. C. , old man , say ` when . ' Help yourself to another cigar , Blatch . ''