midnight
`` But otherwise -- '' `` You cut it off ! '' laughed the monarch -- `` and quite right too ! '' They now began to separate . The hunchback Sholto explained that it was long after midnight , and that he had already put out all the lights in the basement . Whereupon the King , turning to Sergius Thord said : `` Farewell for the moment , Sergius ! Come to me at the Palace with the whole plan of the meeting you are now organising ; I shall hold myself ready to fall in with your plans ! Gather your thousands , and -- leave the rest to me ! ''