midnight
He looked about , and he saw that there was nothing , and he turned very pale . `` And yet , before midnight , it must be paid , '' he said . Then his face brightened again . `` Before midnight -- but they will be here before then , of course . Perhaps I may borrow the money for a few hours . '' But in order to do this , or to attempt it , he must go out . What if his friends arrived at the moment when he was out of the house ?