midnight
` That 's not Mr. Nickleby 's voice , surely ? ' was the rejoinder . It was not like it ; but it was Ralph who spoke , and so he said . The voice made answer that the twin brothers wished to know whether the man whom he had seen that night was to be detained ; and that although it was now midnight they had sent , in their anxiety to do right . ` Yes , ' cried Ralph , ` detain him till tomorrow ; then let them bring him here -- him and my nephew -- and come themselves , and be sure that I will be ready to receive them . ' ` At what hour ? ' asked the voice .