midnight
The question of phantasmic apparitions , and the development of astral bodies , was of course quite a different matter , and really not under his control . It was his solemn duty to appear in the corridor once a week , and to gibber from the large oriel window on the first and third Wednesdays in every month , and he did not see how he could honourably escape from his obligations . It is quite true that his life had been very evil , but , upon the other hand , he was most conscientious in all things connected with the supernatural . For the next three Saturdays , accordingly , he traversed the corridor as usual between midnight and three o'clock , taking every possible precaution against being either heard or seen . He removed his boots , trod as lightly as possible on the old worm-eaten boards , wore a large black velvet cloak , and was careful to use the Rising Sun Lubricator for oiling his chains . I am bound to acknowledge that it was with a good deal of difficulty that he brought himself to adopt this last mode of protection . However , one night , while the family were at dinner , he slipped into Mr. Otis 's bedroom and carried off the bottle .