midnight
`` I hear the Admiralty are going to take over the whole thing within the next few days , and are sending Marines down . How 's the time ? '' They glanced at their watches . It was five minutes before midnight . As though by common consent , they both crossed to the window and stood looking out into the darkness . A slight wind was moving amongst the treetops , the night was clear but moonless . About half a mile away they could just discern a corner of the club-house .