midnight
There they placed what seemed to be a piece of board . `` Now back to your room , and wait until they start the fun , '' said John . The three friends had not long to wait . A little after midnight they heard Bagot 's window cautiously open . There was the sound of a match striking , and then Sam called to Jack : `` Let her go ! '' A second later a thin trail of fire spurted along the ground from the sporty student 's room . It was followed by a larger one from the foot of the trellis by which Jack had descended .