midnight
* * * * * The professional gambler and the amateur began their series of games a few minutes after ten in a little private room . The young man became more and more excited as the play went on . As for Pony , he was cool under any circumstances . Before an hour had passed the $ 1,000 was transferred from the possession of Forme into the pockets of the professional , and by midnight the younger man was another $ 1,000 in Rowell 's debt . `` It is n't my practice , '' said Rowell slowly , `` to play with a man unless he has the money in sight . I 've made an exception in your case , as luck was against you , but I think this has gone far enough . You may bring me the $ 1,000 you owe any day next week .