midnight
Waldron paid only a perfunctory court to Catherine , who manifested her pleasure by studied indifference . Both magnates felt relieved when she withdrew . They had other and larger matters under way than any dealing with the amenities of life . Until past midnight the session in the study lasted , under the soft glow of the Billionaire 's reading-light . And many choice cigars were smoked , many sheets of paper covered with diagrams and calculations , many vast schemes of conquest expanded , ere the two masters said good-night and separated . At the very hour of Waldron 's leave-taking , another man was pondering deeply , studying the problem from quite another angle , and -- no less earnestly , than the two magnates -- laying careful plans . This man , sturdy , well-built and keen , smoked an old briar as he worked .