midnight
He turned his head and gravely inquired : `` Number Thirteen , how does ye det ` armine ther guilt of a witch ? '' `` Ef a preacher comes nigh , she kai n't help turnin ' her back . '' `` I reckon we hai n't skeercely got no preacher handy ter test her with , '' interrupted the master of ceremonies drily , and the other went on . `` Ef she stays hyar ` twell midnight a sperit in ther guise of a black cat 'll appear ter do her biddin ' . '' On the ground lay the saddle-bags and the rifle ; as yet unmolested . Before they had loosened the blindfold from her eyes she had been subjected to the needless indignity of bound wrists and now she was entirely helpless . Her coat hung on her tattered during the struggle and her flannel shirt had been rent until both garments sagged from her shoulders , leaving bare the white curves of their flesh .