the hour of ten
` Ay , ay , Mr. Glossin , ye ken the ways o ' this place . Lookee , at lock-up hour I 'll return and bring ye upstairs to him . But ye must stay a ' night in his cell , for I am under needcessity to carry the keys to the captain for the night , and I can not let you out again until morning ; then I 'll visit the wards half an hour earlier than usual , and ye may get out and be snug in your ain birth when the captain gangs his rounds . ' When the hour of ten had pealed from the neighbouring steeple Mac-Guffog came prepared with a small dark lantern . He said softly to Glossin , ` Slip your shoes off and follow me . ' When Glossin was out of the door , Mac-Guffog , as if in the execution of his ordinary duty , and speaking to a prisoner within , called aloud , ` Good-night to you , sir , ' and locked the door , clattering the bolts with much ostentatious noise . He then guided Glossin up a steep and narrow stair , at the top of which was the door of the condemned ward ; he unbarred and unlocked it , and , giving Glossin the lantern , made a sign to him to enter , and locked the door behind him with the same affected accuracy .