twelve o'clock
It was said that their friendship dated from mere boyhood , and that the way the two men had held together through all the vicissitudes of life was touching and beautiful -- at least , so some people observed . There were others whose eyebrows went up when the Governor and Mr. Styles were mentioned in their Damon and Pythias capacity . That night , in the public benefactor 's room at the hotel , the Governor and his old friend had a long talk . When twelve o'clock came they were still talking ; more than that , the Governor was excitedly pacing the floor . `` I tell you , Styles , '' he expostulated , `` I do n't like it ! It does n't put me in a good light . It 's too apparent , and I 'll suffer for it , sure as fate .