midnight
`` If they are worth , as he says , two hundred thousand francs , '' said old Hochon , `` it was folly to put himself in the way of being obliged to return them . You might have had that , at least , out of the property ; whereas , as things are going now , you wo n't get anything . And this scene with Joseph is almost a reason why your brother should refuse to see you again . '' Between midnight and one o'clock , the Knights of Idleness began their gratuitous distribution of comestibles to the dogs of the town . This memorable expedition was not over till three in the morning , the hour at which these reprobates went to sup at Cognette 's . At half-past four , in the early dawn , they crept home . Just as Max turned the corner of the rue l'Avenier into the Grande rue , Fario , who stood ambushed in a recess , struck a knife at his heart , drew out the blade , and escaped by the moat towards Vilatte , wiping the blade of his knife on his handkerchief .