midnight
If Koku is faithful -- '' `` That is the smallest ` if ' in the category , '' Tom interposed , with a laugh . `` If I was as sure of all else as I am of Koku , we 'd have plain sailing before us . '' Two days later Tom Swift and Ned Newton were ushered into the private office of the president of the H. & P. A. at the Hendrickton terminal . The two young fellows from the East had got in the night before , had become established at the best hotel in the rapidly growing Western municipality , and had seen something of the town itself during the hours before midnight . Now they were ready for business , and very important business , too . Mr. Richard Bartholomew sat up in his desk chair and his keen eyes suddenly sparkled when he saw his visitors and recognized them . `` I did not expect you so soon .