the hour
of eleven
Helen had found a book in the library , and she lit the gas in her room -LRB- there was no electricity on this upper floor -RRB- and forgot her troubles and unhappiness in following the fortunes of the heroine of her story-book . It was late when she heard the maids retire . They slept in rooms opening out of a side hall . By and by -- after the clock in the Metropolitan tower had struck the hour of eleven -- Helen heard the rustle and step outside her door which she had heard in the corridor downstairs . She crept to her door , after turning out her light , and opening it a crack , listened . Had somebody gone downstairs ? Was that a rustling dress in the corridor down there -- the ghost walk ?