about midnight
Hence it was in this room and in the adjoining great hall that the Freiherr transacted business with V -- . Once they were both sitting at the great table by the bright blazing fire ; V -- had his pen in his hand , and was noting down various totals and calculating the riches of the lord of the entail , whilst the latter , leaning his head on his hand , was blinking at the open account-books and formidable-looking documents . Neither of them heard the hollow roar of the sea , nor the anxious cries of the sea-gulls as they dashed against the windowpanes , flapping their wings and flying backwards and forwards , announcing the oncoming storm . Neither of them heeded the storm , which arose about midnight , and was now roaring and raging with wild fury round the castle walls , so that all the sounds of ill omen in the fire-grates and narrow passages awoke , and began to whistle and shriek in a weird , unearthly way . At length , after a terrific blast , which made the whole castle shake , the hall was completely lit up by the murky glare of the full moon , and V -- exclaimed , `` Awful weather ! '' The Freiherr , quite absorbed in the consideration of the wealth which had fallen to him , replied indifferently , as he turned over a page of the receipt-book with a satisfied smile , `` It is indeed ; very stormy ! '' But , as if clutched by the icy hand of Dread , he started to his feet as the door of the hall flew open and a pale spectral figure became visible , striding in with the stamp of death upon its face .