midnight
`` That 's just where the bone-headedness comes in that so endears you to your friends . If I killed him , where would be my chance to prove I had n't been guilty of the crimes he 's laid at my door ? He 's realised that , all along ... . I passed him on deck one night , coming over ; it was midnight and we were alone ; the temptation to lay hands on him and drop him overboard was almost irresistible -- and he knew it and laughed in my face ! ... And that 's the true reason why I did n't accuse him when I was charged with the theft of the necklace -- because I could n't prove anything and a trumped-up accusation that fell through would only make my case the worse in Nelly 's sight ... . But I 'll get him yet ! '' `` Have you thought of going to Hartford ? ''