midnight
`` For a friend . I may have said policeman -- I may have said anything in such a beastly situation . I am sure that when the captain hears me he will understand immediately . '' `` That may be true , sir , '' said the lieutenant politely , `` but the captain is out at present and wo n't be back till after midnight . If you want to , you can sit in the back room and wait for him . '' Further protestations were unavailing . With a sigh of despair Barnes permitted himself to be led to the back room , where he dropped down on a chair and looked savagely about him .