midnight
As if I did n't know , as if every jailbird does n't know the day and the very minute his release is due ! `` Two weeks more ! '' he went on , his face flushed with indignation and his breath coming in short jerks . The clock on Eileen 's mantelshelf struck midnight , slowly and clearly . The convict looked at it and gasped . When it stopped striking , he turned to Eileen and his eyes twinkled for a second . `` The Governor of the prison has a little clock just the same as that in his private room , '' he said .