midnight
Oh , well ' -- he continued , as Sir George put something in his hand -- ` thank your honour , I 'll drink your health . Yes , it is Masterson , poor man , sure enough ; and two days ago he was as well as you or I -- saving your presence . He was on the gate that evening , and there was a supper on one of the staircases : all the bloods of the College , your honour will understand . About an hour before midnight the Master sent him to tell the gentlemen he could not sleep for the noise . After that it is not known just what happened , but the party had him in and gave him wine ; and whether he went then and returned again when the company were gone is a question . Any way , he was found in the morning , cold and dead at the foot of the stairs , and his neck broken . It is said by some a trap was laid for him on the staircase .