midnight
He was not deceived by the picturesque manner of Julia 's lover , but knew exactly how much was assumed of that air of simple vanity to which Larralde usually treated strangers . He probably gauged at one glance the depth of the man 's power for good or ill , his sincerity , his possible usefulness . In the hands of Sir John Pleydell , Larralde was the merest tool . They sat until long after midnight , and before they parted Sir John Pleydell handed to his companion a roll of notes , which he counted carefully and Larralde accepted with a grand air of condescension and indifference . ` You know my address , ' said Sir John , with a slight suggestion of masterfulness which had not been noticeable before the money changed hands . ` I shall remain at the same hotel . ' Larralde nodded his head .