midnight
`` Do either of you lads want to tackle the job ? '' the sergeant asked , and I understood by his tone that he was as loath to leave the place as was I. Neither of us made reply , and he went on , as if already having had the plan fixed in his mind : `` Then we 'll draw lots to see who it shall be . As the matter stands , we know full well that the commandant must be told of what we have seen . It wo n't require two hours ' travelling because there 's no call to make a very wide circuit , an ' , in case these fellows pull themselves together before midnight , them as stays on watch can warn our people . '' `` Fix the drawin ' of lots to suit yourself , an ' he who gets the worst of it will set out at once , '' I said , curtly , and the old man broke off three small twigs , which he held in his closed hand . `` I have n't taken note of which is the shortest ; but , in case you might think I had , make your choice , an ' the one which is left shall be mine . '' `` He who gets the shortest goes back , eh ? ''