midnight
Finding resistance and remonstrance altogether out of the question , the unfortunate men marched on silently as directed , mentally endeavoring to explain this sample of Irish hospitality , and confident that there must be a mistake somewhere , but of the precise nature of that error they had not the faintest idea . Arrived at the gaol , they were severally incarcerated and their handcuffs taken off . Then , as they signified that they were hungry , they were liberally supplied with buttermilk and oatmeal porridge , which many of them thought the best and most sensible part of the whole proceeding . As it was past midnight , and they were all nearly exhausted they allowed their curiosity to wait till the morrow , and , without any questioning or speculation , fell fast asleep , most of them remaining quiescent unfed late the following afternoon . When they awoke they found a warm meal awaiting them , but no reply as to the reason for their detention could be got out of the turnkey , who seemed to think their question one of the greatest jokes ever perpetrated within the precincts of that edifice . At last Fairfield summoned the turnkey . There was something commanding in his tone which bade the gaoler treat him with respect , and to his enquiry as to whether he could see a lawyer the man replied that he could send for one immediately , but would vouchsafe no information .