midnight
`` What , where the last sack came from ? '' `` Yes . '' `` Well , then , out with it , and ease your mind -- not that I care much , so long as we land the money . '' `` Why , they have brought the last one in from the hospital fever-ward ; I heard the bell tolling at midnight , and I remember now that they said another was all but gone . '' `` Why , of course , '' said Barthes ; `` and see how the lazy beggars have n't even taken the trouble to tie the neck of the sack round . '' `` That 's easily done . '' Before the boys could guess what was next to take place , the sack was jerked over , and a rope was twisted around the neck of the sack , thus excluding nearly all the air .