midnight
He was wearing a short sheepskin coat and high felt boots , and held his stick in his hands all the time . The youth of the examining magistrate aroused his compassion , and that was probably why he addressed him familiarly . `` The elder gave orders that he was to be informed when the police superintendent or the examining magistrate came , '' he said , `` so I suppose I must go now ... . It 's nearly three miles to the _ volost _ , and the storm , the snowdrifts , are something terrible -- maybe one wo n't get there before midnight . Ough ! how the wind roars ! '' `` I do n't need the elder , '' said Lyzhin .