midnight
A clanging cymbal in the energetic hands of a deck steward boomed at the doorway , withdrew and gave up its life in a far away , tinny clatter . The petulant voice of a hardware salesman , who was secretly known to represent American moneyed interests in Mongolia , drifted through the haze of tobacco smoke at the poker table . '' -- that 's what I 'd like to know . Damn nonsense -- saving steam , probably -- off Wu-Sung before midnight -- if -- wanted to throw in a little coal -- means I miss the river boat to-morrow -- not another -- Saturday . Dammit ! '' Peter drew long at the cigarette and glanced thoughtfully at the oak-paneled ceiling . Chips clicked .