midnight
I doubt not you will answer me truly . Where were you on Friday , the 22d of February last ? '' `` I can not exactly say where I was , Sire , '' replied Wilton ; `` for during the greater part of that day I was continually changing my place . Having set out for a small town or village called High Halstow , in Kent , at an early hour in the day , I arrived there just before nightfall , and remained in that place or in the neighbourhood for several hours , indeed , till nearly or past midnight . '' `` Pray what was your business there ? '' demanded the King . `` I fear , '' replied Wilton , `` I must trouble your majesty with some long details to enable you to understand the object of my going . ''