ten o'clock at night
He got out of the difficulty in the best way , by making it very short . He put it in an envelope , and addressed it , intending to give it to Jael Dence , from whom he was always expecting a second visit . He then lighted his forge , and soon the old walls were ringing again with the blows of his hammer . It was ten o'clock at night ; a clear frosty night ; but he was heated and perspiring with his ardent work , when , all of a sudden , a cold air seemed to come in upon him from a new quarter -- the door . He left his forge , and took a few steps to where he could see the door . Instead of the door , he saw the blue sky . He uttered an exclamation , and rubbed his eyes .