midnight
So far , the way both to Spider Jack 's and the Sanctuary had been in the same direction -- but the Sanctuary was on the next street . Jimmie Dale reached the corner -- and hesitated . It was strange how strong was the intuition upon him to-night that bade him go on and make all speed to Spider Jack 's -- while equally strong was the cold , stubborn logic that bade him go first to the Sanctuary . There were things that he needed there that would probably be absolutely essential to him before the night was out , things without which he might be so badly handicapped as to invite failure from the start ; and yet -- it was already midnight ! Ostensibly both Makoff and Spider Jack closed their places at eleven . But that might mean anything -- depending upon their own respective inclinations , or on what of their own peculiar brand of deviltry might be afoot . If they were still about , still in evidence , he was still too early , midnight though it was ; though , on the other hand , if the coast was clear , he could ill afford to lose a moment of the time between now and the hour that the Magpie had planned for the robbery of Henry LaSalle , for it would not be an easy matter , even once inside Spider Jack 's , to find that package -- since it was Spider 's open boast that things committed to his care were where the police , or any one else , might as well whistle and suck their thumbs as try to find them !