Midnight
But none of the party , at that hour of the night , were disposed to consult the authorities on the subject . If they had looked on the table in Richard 's room they might have found there a yellow-covered pamphlet novel , entitled `` Sylvester Sound , the Somnambulist . '' It is a very curious and amusing account of the antics of a sleep-walker , describing the wonderful feats he performed in his slumbers , without having the least idea of what he was doing . The ingenious young rogue had been reading the book that very day , and in the drama of the `` Midnight Alarm , '' played at Woodville , he had chosen for himself the part of Sylvester Sound . While his father went for a hammer and nails , to secure the window , Richard removed his telltale trousers , and jumped into bed . Mr. Grant nailed up the window in Richard 's room , so that when he should again walk in his sleep , he might not be exposed to the peril of breaking his neck by falling off the roof of the conservatory . When this important work was accomplished , the party retired .