nearly midnight
A sense of might and victory attended his steps . He understood what men mean when they say that money is power and that it rules the world . He turned eastward , and walking with rapid strides made his way down the Strand and thence by Ludgate Circus to Aldgate and the mean streets he knew so well . It was nearly midnight when he arrived there , and yet he fell in with certain whom he knew and passed them by with a genial nod . His altered appearance , the black overcoat and the scarf which hid his dress clothes , called for many a `` Gor blime '' or `` Strike me dead . '' Women caught his arm and wrestled with him , roughs tried to push him from the pavement and were amazed at his good humor . In Union Street he first met little red-haired Chris Denham and asked of her the news .