eleven o'clock
before
One by one they found their way into Brooks ' ledgers as cases to be reckoned out and solved . And meanwhile nearly all of them found some immediate relief , passing out into the night with footsteps a little less shuffling , and hearts a little lighter . The night 's work was a long one . It was eleven o'clock before Brooks left his seat with a little gesture of relief and lit a cigarette . `` I must go and get something to eat , '' he said . `` Will you come Miss Scott ? '' She shook her head .