midnight
What avail ! Garnett was at Castlegarry , and at midnight his chance of fortune and a new life would be gone . Then , penniless , he would have to face Mona again ; and what would come of that he could not see , would not try to see . There was an alternative he would not attempt to face until after midnight , when this crisis in his life would be over . Beyond midnight was a darkness which he would not now try to pierce . As his eyes again became used to his surroundings , a look of determination , the determination of the true gambler , came into his face . The real gambler never throws up the sponge till all is gone ; never gives up till after the last toss of the last penny of cash or credit ; for he has seen such innumerable times the thing come right and good fortune extend a friendly hand with the last hazard of all .