midnight
Beroviero watched him and nodded in approval . `` Do not start before it is quite dark , '' he said . `` Take the little skiff . The water will be high two hours before midnight , so you will have no trouble in getting across . When you come back , come here , and tell the porter that I have ordered you to see that my fire is properly kept up . Then go to sleep in the coolest place you can find . '' After Beroviero had given him these orders , Zorzi had plenty of time for reflection , for his master said nothing more , and became absorbed in his work , weighing out portions of different ingredients and slowly mixing each with the coloured earths and chemicals that were already in the wooden trough .