midnight
Among their customers they numbered a great many fire laddies , and these they made it a point to treat extra well , selling them goods at almost cost . As a consequence the firemen told their friends , and by eight o'clock that evening the store was packed . `` This is going to be the banner day after all , '' whispered Andy , just after making several good sales . `` I believe we can keep things moving until midnight . '' They found a great demand for pocket-knives and cheap jewelry , and by playing on the instruments they sold over three dozen mouth harmonicas and three accordions . Then Andy and Matt gave a duet on the violin and banjo , and as a consequence , sold both of the instruments they had handled . The music had attracted even a greater crowd , and among the people were four tall and rather ugly-looking colored men .