six o'clock
But not a sound came from the staircase . It seemed as though the house was wrapped in sleep . He could not understand how he had been able to sleep away the time as he had done , while nothing was prepared for the enterprise . And yet it was , perhaps , six o'clock that had just struck . Then , he became excited as he felt what there was to be done , and he endeavored with all his might to keep his thoughts from wandering and concentrate his mind on his task . All the time his heart thumped and beat until he could hardly draw breath . In the first place it was necessary to make a loop and fasten to his coat .