midnight
He sighed as though regretful that so much cleverness should have passed him by in favor of another , and again his gaze wandered in Charlie 's direction . `` Well , I 'm glad I 'm not a -- sharp , '' said Billy Unguin , preparing to depart . `` Come on , Allan , '' he went on to the postmaster . `` It 's past midnight and -- '' O'Brien chuckled . `` There 's the old woman waiting . '' Billy nodded good-naturedly , and the two passed out with a brief `` good night . '' When they had gone Holy Dick leaned across the bar confidentially .