about midnight
-- Doctor Fritz . '' `` Oh , that alters the case , '' and he went back into his lodge for a lantern , crossed the outer court where the snow came up to his middle , and staring at me through the grating , he exclaimed -- `` I beg your pardon , Doctor Fritz ; I thought you would be asleep up there in Hugh Lupus 's tower . Were _ you _ ringing ? Now that explains why Sperver came to me about midnight to ask if anybody had gone out . I said no , which was quite true , for I never saw you going out . '' `` But pray , Monsieur Knapwurst , do for pity 's sake let me in , and I will tell you all about that by-and-by . '' `` Come , come , sir , a little patience . ''