midnight
The sight of their large , black , rolling eyes filled Joe Toddyhigh with such horror that he could scarcely draw his breath . Still they took no note of him , and appeared to believe themselves quite alone . ` Our compact , ' said Magog after a pause , ` is , if I understand it , that , instead of watching here in silence through the dreary nights , we entertain each other with stories of our past experience ; with tales of the past , the present , and the future ; with legends of London and her sturdy citizens from the old simple times . That every night at midnight , when St. Paul 's bell tolls out one , and we may move and speak , we thus discourse , nor leave such themes till the first gray gleam of day shall strike us dumb . Is that our bargain , brother ? ' ` Yes , ' said the Giant Gog , ` that is the league between us who guard this city , by day in spirit , and by night in body also ; and never on ancient holidays have its conduits run wine more merrily than we will pour forth our legendary lore . We are old chroniclers from this time hence .