midnight
But there was his friend Hastings . It was the thought of Hastings which gave him the inspiration when he spoke to Grampus . Hastings was one of the cleverest inventors and one of the most prominent among the younger electricians of the city . They were devoted friends , and they would invent the greatest latch-key in the world , or burn half the midnight oil upon the market . This he was resolved upon . He sought Hastings . To Hastings Simpson unfolded his tale carefully , leaf by leaf , and interested amazingly that eminent young electrician .