midnight
With that the old man rose and left us . Perhaps I should stop this narration here , for I have often wondered if practically I am guilty of manslaughter . We did not meet Major Renn together , but arranged that he should encounter Jack under one lamp-post , and me under the next . It was just after midnight , and the streets were practically deserted . The theatre crowds had gone , and the traffic was represented by the last ` buses , and a belated cab now and then . Major Renn came down the steps of his club , and under the first lamp-post , with the light shining full upon him , Jack the convict stepped forth . ` Colonel Jim , ' he said , ` Ed and I are waiting for you .