one
o'clock
But a certain spirit of comradeship grew up between these two , and it was not unusual for the pressmen , after his work was finished and the papers were neatly piled for distribution to the carriers at daybreak , to walk with Hetty to the hotel before proceeding to his own lodgings in the little wing of Nick Thorne 's house , which stood quite at the end of the street . To be sure , the hotel adjoined the printing office , with only a vacant lot between , but Hetty seemed to appreciate this courtesy and would exchange a brief good night with Smith before going to her own room . Afterward she not infrequently stole out again , because sleep would not come to her , and then the moon watched her wanderings until it dipped behind the hills . On the night we speak of , Hetty had parted from Thursday Smith at one o'clock and crept into the hallway of the silent , barnlike hotel ; but as soon as the man turned away she issued forth again and walked up the empty street like a shadow . Almost to Thompson 's Crossing she strolled , deep in thought , and then turned and retraced her steps . But when she again reached the hotel she was wide-eyed as ever ; so she passed the building , thinking she would go on to Little Bill Creek and sit by the old mill for a time . The girl was just opposite the printing office when her attention was attracted by a queer grating noise , as if one of the windows was being pried up .