Ten o'clock
And so Robert felt more light-hearted than for many days , so much so that after supper , while preparing for the next day 's recitation , Stonewell , who knew his roommate 's every mood , looked up smiling and said : `` Well , Bob , what is it ; have you won the flag ahead of time , or have you made up with Helen Blunt ? I 've noticed you have n't been going to her house much of late ; and for some time past you 've been as glum as a Russian bear . '' `` Never you mind , Stone , I 'm just feeling pretty fit , that 's all . '' Ten o'clock soon came , and with it out went the lights in Bancroft Hall and a perfect stillness broken only by the tread of midshipmen making taps inspection . Soon this measured tread ceased and complete silence reigned . And then out of this profound stillness came again that terrible cry , shrieked out in affright , startling every midshipman in the armory wing of Bancroft Hall . `` Help !