midnight
Mr. Shell was proprietor of the New Hope Oyster Saloon . He got up nice game suppers , and treated his customers to ale , whiskey , and brandy . Philip loved good living , and often ate an oyster-stew and a broiled quail , and washed it down with a glass of ale , late at night in Mr. Shell 's rooms , in company with three or four other boys . After supper they had cigars and a game of cards , till midnight , when Mr. Shell put out his lights and closed his doors , often interrupting them in the middle of a game . That was not agreeable , and so the young gentlemen hired a room over the saloon , fitted it up with tables and chairs , and organized a club , calling themselves `` Night-Hawks . '' Philip was the chief hawk . They met nearly every evening .