twelve o'clock
`` During a long time , by economy , I have saved and placed at a banker 's the small sum of fifteen hundred francs . About a week ago he notified me that the term of his obligation toward me being arrived , he held my funds subject to my order , if I did not wish them to remain with him . `` I thus possessed more than I took from the notary . I could the next day replace it ; but the cashier of the bank did not reach his office before twelve o'clock , and at daybreak they were to arrest poor Morel . It was necessary to place him in a situation to pay , otherwise , even if I were to go and take him from prison , the arrest might have already killed his wife ; besides , the very considerable expenses attending this would have been at the cost of the artisan . You comprehend that all these misfortunes would not have happened , if I could have returned the thirteen hundred francs before M. Ferrand discovered their loss . `` I left the house , no longer under the impression of indignation and pity which had made me act in this manner .