midnight before
The last touch was supplied by Savoy in the shape of a monkey on a yellow stick , that was not in the official bill of lading . `` I swiped it fer de Kid , '' he said briefly in explanation . When it was all done the boys turned in , but not to sleep . It was long past midnight before the deep and regular breathing from the beds proclaimed that the last had succumbed . The early dawn was tinging the frosty window panes with red when from the Kid 's cot there came a shriek that roused the house with a start of very genuine surprise . `` Hello ! '' shouted Stretch , sitting up with a jerk and rubbing his eyes .