an hour after midnight
`` And as for my election , why , I have my certificate in my pocket . '' Gradually the sneer faded from Abel 's face , and he walked up and down the room , no longer carelessly , but fitfully ; stopping sometimes -- again starting more rapidly -- then leaning against the mantle , on which the clock pointed to midnight -- then throwing himself into a chair or upon a sofa ; and so , rising again , walked on . His head bent forward -- his eyes grew rounder and harder , and seemed to be burnished with the black , bad light ; his step imperceptibly grew stealthy -- he looked about him carefully -- he stood erect and breathless to listen -- bit his nails , and walked on . The clock upon the mantle pointed to half an hour after midnight . Abel Newt went into his chamber and put on his slippers . He lighted a candle , and looked carefully under the bed and in the closet . Then he drew the shades over the windows and went out into the other room , closing and locking the door behind him .