midnight
And all the while , unconscious , heedless of his wrathful exasperated chieftain , Froissart devoured food in immense quantities . It was a disgusting exhibition . Satisfied at last , Froissart broke away from the table , lit a cigarette , and sat himself down beside Dawson before the fire . It was well past midnight , but to these men regular habits were unknown , and the hours of work and of sleep always indeterminate . `` Now , '' exclaimed Froissart , `` I will tell to you , my friend Dawson , the true _ histoire _ of my exploits so tremendous and unapproachable . I reached the station at Plymouth at ten hours , my spy was upon the platform . I knew him , for those who had kept him under watch had informed me of him .