midnight
`` Ball cartridge ? '' `` Of course , '' said the alderman . `` Well , would you mind putting it back in your pocket -- with all this wine and whisky about -- '' The alderman complied , proud . He was limping goutily home with the Vice , at something after midnight , when , as they passed the stage-door of the Empire , both men were aware of fearsome sounds within the building . And the stage-door was ajar . Being personages of great importance , they entered into the interior gloom and collided with the watchman , who was rushing out . `` Is that you , Alderman Keats ? ''