midnight
`` There should be an inspection at lunch-time , and anyone seen eating ham should be under suspicion . '' `` They 'd be far too clever to eat it publicly , '' objected Miss Hoyle , the lady journalist . `` Gipsies are an uncommonly tricky set . They probably had a midnight feast , and finished the last crumb of our provisions before daybreak . We shall get no satisfaction from Mr. Cox . He 'll say he 's not responsible . '' `` Then we must take precautions that it does n't happen again , '' decreed Miss Gibbs .