midnight
It mattered little to me that the way was beset with robbers and bullies . I had neither horse nor cloak ; my homely apparel was rent and dirty ; my boots were in holes , and my belt was empty . I was not worth robbing , and the few who set on me in mistake , did not stay long when they found the temper I was in . So late that night -- it must have been towards midnight -- I brought my journey to an end , and stood at my master 's door . Here a sore rebuff met me . For a long time I knocked and called in vain , and woke the echoes of the sleeping Strand . Then from an upper window a voice descended : `` Who goes there ?