midnight
I shivered ; a kind of nervous dread stole over me . I have always been physically courageous , but at the same time , in spite of my education , I am somewhat superstitious -- what Neapolitan is not ? it runs in the southern blood . And there was something unutterably fearful in the sound of that midnight bell clanging harshly on the ears of a man pent up alive in a funeral vault with the decaying bodies of his ancestors close within reach of his hand ! I tried to conquer my feelings -- to summon up my fortitude . I endeavored to reason out the best method of escape . I resolved to feel my way , if possible , to the steps of the vault , and with this idea in my mind I put out my hands and began to move along slowly and with the utmost care .