eleven o'clock
But no one was on the watch to-night ; and it was only when he came at last to the pillared portico of his own residence that he found any sign of life from one end of the street to the other . He did find it then , however ; for the boy , Dollops , was sitting huddled up on the top step with the thick shadow of the portico making a safe screen for him . He had made good use of the two half-crowns , for he had not only feasted -- and was feasting still : on a bag of winkles and a saveloy -- but was washed and brushed and had gone to the length of a shoe-shine and a collar . `` Been waitin ' since eleven o'clock , sir , '' he said , getting up and pulling his forelock as Cleek appeared . `` Did n't knock and arsk for no one , though -- not me . Twigged as it would be you , sir , on account of your sayin ' to-night . I 've read summink of the ways of ` tecs .