midnight
Aspel soon observed that he was expected either to drink or smoke . He did not wish to do either , but , disliking singularity , ordered a cigar and a glass of brandy-and-water . These were followed by another cigar and another glass . Towards midnight he had reached that condition when drink stimulates the desire for more drink . Being aware , from former experience , of the danger of this condition , and being , as we have said , a man of some strength of will , he rose to go . At the moment a half-tipsy man at the little table next him carelessly flung the end of his cigar away . It alighted , probably by accident , on the top of Aspel 's head .