midnight
He sprang up , and clutched it by the throat . `` A most excellent fellow this ! '' said the voice of Doctor Mulhaus . `` He sends a frantic midnight message for his friend to come to him , regardless of personal convenience and horseflesh ; and when this friend comes quietly in , and tries to wake him without disturbing the sick folks , he seizes him by the throat and nearly throttles him . '' `` I beg a thousand pardons , Doctor , '' said Tom ; `` I had been dreaming , and I took you for the devil . I am glad to find my mistake . '' `` You have good reason , '' said the Doctor ; `` but now , how is the patient ? ''