midnight
As he thought it over he ceased to regret the miscarriage of last night 's plan , for it had served to goad his enemies to the point he desired , to the point where they would rush to their own undoing . He thought with satisfaction of the role he would play in the United States press when the sensational news of this night 's adventure came out . A court official who dared to do his duty despite a lawless mob . A receiver who turned a midnight attack into a rout and shambles . That is what they would say . What if he did exceed his authority thereafter ? What if there were a scandal ?