midnight
M. Trinquier responded , expressing his confident belief that two so gallant nations as England and France could not long be restrained from flinging down their own arms and rushing into each other 's . And then followed Captain Pond , who , having moved his audience to tears , pronounced the Looe Die-hards disbanded . Thereupon , with a gesture full of tragic inspiration , he cast his naked blade upon the board . As it clanged amid the dishes and glasses , M. Trinquier lifted his arms , and the band crashed out the `` Dead Marching Soul , '' following it with `` God Save the King '' as the clock announced midnight and the birth of the New Year . `` But hallo ? '' exclaimed Captain Pond , sinking back in his chair , and turning towards M. Trinquier . `` I had clean forgot that you are our prisoner , and should be sent back to Dartmoor !