midnight
A clerk was recording their claims . One had thirty-four above , the other fifty-two below . The clerk looked flustered , fatigued . His dull eyes were pursy with midnight debauches ; his flesh sagged . In contrast with the clean , hard , hawk-eyed miners , he looked blotched and unwholesome . Crossly he snatched from the other two their miner 's certificates , made the entries in his book , and gave them their receipts . It was my turn now .