midnight
`` Well , Sir Gervaise , the strip of cotton was brought to us safely . What is your news ? '' `` It is very serious , Sir John , and I have been in terrible anxiety since I dropped it out , lest it should not come to hand in time . As it is , you have till midnight to make your preparations . '' He then repeated the statement made by the galley slave . `` By my faith , '' Sir John Kendall exclaimed , `` this is a pretty plot indeed ! And had it succeeded , as it certainly would have done but for your vigilance , it would have been a heavy blow to us .