midnight
An interval passed , and the creaking was heard again . This time , the sound was distant and diminishing . On a sudden it stopped . The midnight silence was disturbed no more . What did this mean ? Had one among the many persons in authority under Miss Ladd 's roof heard the girls talking , and ascended the stairs to surprise them in the act of violating one of the rules of the house ? So far , such a proceeding was by no means uncommon .