Twelve o'clock
He went off to his own house on the further verge of the park , where he led a lonely life , scarcely calling any man friend . At eleven he prepared to retire to bed -- but did not retire . He sat down and reflected . Twelve o'clock struck ; he looked out at the colourless moon , and , prompted by he knew not what , put on his hat and emerged into the air . Here William Mills strolled on and on , till he reached the top of Marlbury Downs , a spot he had not visited at this hour of the night during the whole score-and-odd years . He placed himself , as nearly as he could guess , on the spot where the shepherd 's hut had stood . No lambing was in progress there now , and the old shepherd who had used him so roughly had ceased from his labours that very day .