midnight
asked the fellow in a sarcastic tone ; and quick as lightning he started to his feet , and I saw a long knife flash in the starlight , and before I could spring aside he aimed it full at my breast . In another instant I should have been a dead man , but , fortunately , Murden saw the move , and struck the ruffian 's arm up , and the knife passed over my shoulder harmless . The next instant my prisoner was measuring his length on the hard ground , with blood spirting from his nose and mouth , the effects of a tremendous blow , which the lieutenant delivered full upon his unprotected face . `` Lie there , you d -- d midnight incendiary , '' cried the officer , indignant to think that he wished to add murder to his other crimes . The wretch only groaned in reply ; but Murden , thinking that he was shamming , slipped a pair of handcuffs on his wrists , and then served the Irishman , whom Fred had rendered tongue-tied by a blow from his revolver , in the same manner . `` A neat pair of handcuffs is an ornament that disgraces no one , while they add to a person 's security eighty per cent . There is , to be sure , a slight prejudice against having them on in unmixed company , but it is astonishing how soon the feeling wears off .