midnight
I asked . `` That would n't have been detective-like . '' `` But the graveyard at midnight ! '' `` Well , perhaps he wo n't hold out for midnight -- Billy is merely poetic at times -- and maybe if we hurry along , we can catch up with him and have it out by the marble works there instead of going clear on to the cemetery . Perhaps that will be near enough in the right spirit for Billy . '' Quickly we made ready for the desperate assignation , pulling our hats well down , in a way that we thought Billy would approve . Four blocks along the street , by rapid walking , we came within hail of the intrepid young detective .