midnight
Dudley took a step in the direction of his bedroom , and pulled out his watch . As he did so a railroad ticket jerked out of his pocket with the watch and fell to the ground . Max saw it fall , but before he could pick it up or draw attention to it his ideas were diverted by Dudley 's next words : `` Well , you '11 excuse me , old chap . I 've got to see a friend off by the midnight train to Liverpool . '' As he spoke Dudley turned , with his hand on the door , to cast a glance at Max . He seemed to be asking himself what he should tell the other . And then he took a step toward his friend and began an explanation , which , as his shrewd eyes told him , Max required .