midnight
So when the imp returned , he pointed her out , and the imp went again and handed the note to her . Peter saw her take it -- then he darted away ; and remembering suddenly that he was supposed to be on duty , be rushed back to the office and inquired for Mr. Lackman . To his horror he learned that Mr. Lackman had returned , paid his bill , and departed with his suitcase to a destination unknown ! Section 39 Peter had a midnight appointment with McGivney , and now had to go and admit this humiliating failure . He had done his best , he declared ; he had inquired at the desk , and waited and waited , but the hotel people had failed to notify him of Lackman 's arrival . All this was strictly true ; but it did not pacify McGivney , who was in a black fury . `` It might have been worth thousands of dollars to you ! ''