the hour of twelve o'clock in the evening
Other men might have got disgusted , but not so with me . I persevered , and gradually softened his rugged nature , but it was like water wearing away stone . At length I perceived that confinement was telling on the prisoner , and then I hinted how much better it would be for my welfare if I was rich and independent of the police force ; and although at first my insinuations were rejected with scorn , yet time and an even temper effected my purpose ; and one day after Bill had had a bad attack of fainting fits and convulsions , he told me his whole history , and ended with a confession that the dust which he had stolen , was buried , with other treasure , near the banks of the Lodden , within sight of Mount Tarrengower . That there was only one way to reach it , for quicksands surrounded the spot where the money was hid , and that I could find it by searching precisely at the hour of twelve o'clock in the evening , when the moon was full , for then Mount Tarrengower threw a shadow upon the edge of the spot , and no mistake could occur . In fact , he gave me such explicit directions , that I do not fear failure . '' `` And you think that Bill was not deceiving you ? '' Fred asked , after a moment 's consideration .