midnight
* * * * * It had been the front parlor of the old brownstone in its prime , and was now fixed up as an office . The place held an executive desk with several buttons and enough other controls to put it in orbit . There were a number of cushioned straight-backed chairs and a comfortable leather couch under the window . Only the fact that it was getting on toward midnight made me willing to believe that the couple who had walked down the stairs expected to be taken seriously . `` This is George Robertson , the poker whiz , '' Lefty said briefly to the two sleepy heads . `` They call him Tex. . Tex , this is Peter Maragon , Grand Master of the Lodge . ''