midnight
Did you dress and come down after me ? '' `` Oh , no , I have n't been to bed yet . '' Roy flushed as he made this answer , and at this moment the clock on the mantel chimed out twelve strokes . `` Are you in the habit of sitting up till midnight ? '' asked Mr. Keeler . `` I suppose -- '' He paused suddenly . His gaze had fallen on that book of criminals Jess had left lying open on the table .