midnight
The sound of his heavy footsteps , as they fell upon the pavement , rang far and near through the silent streets ; and , as he sped on , their echo fell upon his ear fearfully , and sent a thrill of something like terror through his strong frame . He even slackened his pace , and strove to lighten his tread that the desolate sound might not thus sweep constantly after him ; but his anxiety with regard to Guly was so intense that he found it impossible to go at a slower gait , and he went on , running strongly , his huge chest heaving with the unwonted exertion , and the big drops of perspiration standing out like rain-drops on his brow . Suddenly there came a low hum of voices to his ear , not unlike the murmur of a distant sea . Louder and louder , it came upon the midnight air , till , answering to the echo of his flying steps , came the distant cry of `` Murder ! stop him ! stop him ! Murder ! ''