midnight
`` You are not to mention my name , promise me that . '' This time it was I who shrugged my shoulders in reply . He sat gripping the arms of his chair , again his gaze reverted stolidly to the fire . The clock ticked on past midnight , peacefully aloof as if content to be well out of the controversy . `` A drop more ? '' I ventured , reaching for the decanter ; but he stayed my arm . `` I 've been a fool , '' he said slowly . ''