nearly midnight
The sight of flowers in front windows added to his good humour . He was still in good spirits when he left off work that afternoon , but some slight hesitation about returning home sent him to the Brick-layers ' firms instead . He stayed there until closing time , and then , being still disinclined for home , paid a visit to Bill Smith , who lived the other side of Tunwich . By the time he started for home it was nearly midnight . The outskirts of the town were deserted and the houses in darkness . The clock of Tunwich church struck twelve , and the last stroke was just dying away as he turned a corner and ran almost into the arms of the man he had been trying to avoid . `` Halloa ! ''