midnight
asked the pawnbroker on his return . `` I 'll see you d -- d first , '' replied the prisoner . On this he was handcuffed , and helped into the dog-cart . They went up to town by the midnight train ; but , to Alfred 's astonishment and delight did not take a carriage to themselves . However , station after station was passed , and nobody came into their carriage . At last they stopped at a larger station , and a good many people were on the platform : Alfred took this opportunity and appealed in gentle but moving terms to the first good and intelligent face he saw . `` Sir , '' said he , `` I implore your assistance . ''