midnight
This was scarcely likely to happen . He was far too astute . His only danger was a trap customer , and the difficulties and dangers of attempting such a course , even the most foolhardy would scarcely dare to risk in a place as untamed as Rocky Springs . Even the wildest spirits , however , were bound to reach their limit of protest against this new move of the authorities , and by midnight the majority of the customers had taken their departure from Dirty O'Brien 's booth . Thus , when the small hours crept on , only a trifling gathering of his regular patrons still remained behind . The air of the place was utterly foul . The stench of tobacco smoke blending with the fumes of liquor left it nauseating .