midnight
asked Simmons . `` Ten minutes , if there is any hurry , '' answered Donal . `` I will come again in twenty ; or , if you are willing to save an old man 's bones , I will be at the bottom of the stair at that time to take charge of you . I would have looked after you yesterday , but his lordship was poorly , and I had to be in attendance on him till after midnight . '' Donal thought it impossible he should of himself have found his way to the schoolroom . With all he could do to remember the turnings , he found the endeavour hopeless , and gave it up with a not unpleasing despair . Through strange passages , through doors in all directions , up stairs and down they went , and at last came to a long , low room , barely furnished , with a pleasant outlook , and immediate access to the open air .