midnight
`` Four thousand pounds . '' Kitty exclaimed so loudly that she smothered her mouth with a hand . `` Why , he only needs for the syndicate two thousand pounds -- ten thousand dollars , '' she said excitedly . `` But what 's the good of it , if he ca n't lay his hand on it by midnight to-night ! '' `` He can do so , '' was Mona 's quick reply . `` I was going to tell him that , but the lawyer came , and -- '' Kitty sprang up and down in excitement . `` I had a plan .