four o'clock in the morning
But our friend , Stanley Lake , was one of those persons who think that the course of the world 's affairs should bend a good deal to their personal convenience , and he was not pleased with these unreasonable working-people who had gone to their beds , and brought him to this remote and grimy amphitheatre of black windows for nothing . So , wishing them the good-night they merited , he re-entered his cab , and drove rapidly back again towards the West-end . This time he went to a somewhat mysterious and barricadoed place , where in a blaze of light , in various rooms , gentlemen in hats , and some in great coats , were playing roulette or hazard ; and I am sorry to say , that our friend , Captain Lake , played first at one and then at the other , with what success exactly I do n't know . But I do n't think it was very far from four o'clock in the morning when he let himself into his family hotel with that latchkey , the cock 's tail of Micyllus , with which good-natured old Mrs. Muggeridge obliged the good-looking captain . Captain Lake having given orders the evening before , that anyone who might call in the morning , and ask to see him , should be shown up to his bed-room _ sans ceremonie _ , was roused from deep slumber at a quarter past ten , by a knock at his door , and a waiter 's voice . ` Who 's that ? ' drawled Captain Lake , rising , pale and half awake , on his elbow , and not very clear where he was .