midnight
At twenty minutes past eight Stuart rose and said : `` Gentlemen , in twenty-five minutes the time agreed upon will have expired . '' `` At what time was the last train due from Liverpool ? '' asked Flanagan . `` At 7.23 , '' replied Ralph ; `` and the next does not arrive till past midnight . '' `` Well , then , gentlemen , '' replied Stuart , `` if Mr. Fogg had arrived by the 7.23 , he would have been here before now , so we may look upon the bet as won . '' `` Do not be in too great a hurry , '' replied Fallentin . `` You know that our friend is very eccentric , and his punctuality is proverbial .