midnight
Looking farther down the hall , Sadie saw that Miss Williams had been imprisoned in the same manner , while a promiscuous assortment of tin pans , covers and plates lay in a heap upon the floor , and telling their own story regarding the recent crash . There was not a person , save the watchman , in sight . But , presently , doors were cautiously opened and tousled heads appeared in the apertures , while timid voices made inquiries as to what had happened . The watchman -- who had been making his rounds , as was his custom at midnight , hence his timely appearance upon the scene -- soon had the indignant teachers released , and then went on to the next floor , where similar conditions prevailed . On being given their liberty , Miss Clark and Miss Williams immediately bestirred themselves to ferret out the culprits ; but , of course , everybody was innocent and as eager as themselves to ascertain `` who could have been guilty of so daring an escapade at that hour of the night . '' Poor Jennie , however , was destined to pay the penalty of her temerity . A moment or two after Katherine left her , she had also stolen cautiously up the stairs , but on moving farther down the hall had run against one of the ropes .