eleven o'clock
The conversation in no way turned upon ghosts , so there were not even those primary conditions of receptive expectations which so often precede the presentation of psychical phenomena . The subjects discussed , as I have since learned from Mr. Otis , were merely such as form the ordinary conversation of cultured Americans of the better class , such as the immense superiority of Miss Fanny Devonport over Sarah Bernhardt as an actress ; the difficulty of obtaining green corn , buckwheat cakes , and hominy , even in the best English houses ; the importance of Boston in the development of the world-soul ; the advantages of the baggage-check system in railway travelling ; and the sweetness of the New York accent as compared to the London drawl . No mention at all was made of the supernatural , nor was Sir Simon de Canterville alluded to in any way . At eleven o'clock the family retired , and by half-past all the lights were out . Some time after , Mr. Otis was awakened by a curious noise in the corridor , outside his room . It sounded like the clank of metal , and seemed to be coming nearer every moment . He got up at once , struck a match , and looked at the time .