midnight
`` There is a great draught here , '' he said . `` I will close the door , but leave it ajar that we may salute each other from time to time . '' The hours crept on and since everybody at Chadlands knew what was happening , few retired to rest . It was understood that some time after midnight Signor Mannetti hoped to declare the result of his experiment . Henry Lennox challenged half-hourly , always receiving a brisk reply . But a little after half-past one his `` All well , signor ? '' received no response .