midnight
Meantime , I had won the regard of my honest Flibbertigibbet here , he being then at Farringdon with his master , the sage Erasmus Holiday , by teaching him a few secrets , such as please youth at his age ; and after much counsel together , we agreed that , since I could get no practice in the ordinary way , I should try how I could work out business among these ignorant boors , by practising upon their silly fears ; and , thanks to Flibbertigibbet , who hath spread my renown , I have not wanted custom . But it is won at too great risk , and I fear I shall be at length taken up for a wizard ; so that I seek but an opportunity to leave this vault , when I can have the protection of some worshipful person against the fury of the populace , in case they chance to recognize me . '' `` And art thou , '' said Tressilian , `` perfectly acquainted with the roads in this country ? '' `` I could ride them every inch by midnight , '' answered Wayland Smith , which was the name this adept had assumed . `` Thou hast no horse to ride upon , '' said Tressilian . `` Pardon me , '' replied Wayland ; `` I have as good a tit as ever yeoman bestrode ; and I forgot to say it was the best part of the mediciner 's legacy to me , excepting one or two of the choicest of his medical secrets , which I picked up without his knowledge and against his will . '' `` Get thyself washed and shaved , then , '' said Tressilian ; `` reform thy dress as well as thou canst , and fling away these grotesque trappings ; and , so thou wilt be secret and faithful , thou shalt follow me for a short time , till thy pranks here are forgotten .