midnight
`` Can you clean coachwork and brass ? '' he asked , stooping to unlock the toolbox . The stableman shuffled uneasily from one foot to the other . The hour was past midnight , and the alarm raised at the hotel had already robbed him of two hours ' sleep . `` Hosses is more in my line , '' he answered gruffly . `` But if I give you half a sovereign perhaps you will not mind helping me . I shall attend to the engine myself . '' ''