midnight
Colonel Demarion became interested in the landlord 's confidences , but could only gather in further explanation that for some time past all travellers who had occupied that room had `` made off in the middle of the night , never showin ' their faces at the inn again ; '' that on endeavoring to arrest one or more in their nocturnal flight , they -- all more or less terrified -- had insisted on escaping without a moment 's delay , assigning no other reason than that they had seen a ghost . `` Not that folks seem to get much harm by it , Colonel -- not by the way they makes off without paying a cent of money ! '' Great indeed was the satisfaction evinced by the victim of unpaid bills on the Colonel 's declaring that the haunted chamber was the very room for him . `` If to be turned out of my bed at midnight is all I have to fear , we will see who comes off master in my case . So , Mr. Landlord , let the chamber be got ready directly , and have a good fire built there at once . '' The exultant host hurried away to confide the great news to Jo , and with him to make the necessary preparations . `` Come what will , Jo , Colonel Demarion ai n't the man to make off without paying down good money for his accommodations . ''