midnight
The men stood erect , their pistol-arms at their sides , the two seconds stood at their official posts , the doctor stood five paces in Wilson 's rear with his instruments and bandages in his hands . The deep stillness , the peaceful moonlight , the motionless figures , made an impressive picture and the impending fatal possibilities augmented this impressiveness to solemnity . Wilson 's hand began to rise -- slowly -- slowly -- higher -- still higher -- still higher -- in another moment : `` Boom ! '' the first stroke of midnight swung up out of the distance ; Angelo was off like a deer ! `` Oh , you unspeakable traitor ! '' wailed his brother , as they went soaring over the fence . The others stood astonished and gazing ; and so stood , watching that strange spectacle until distance dissolved it and swept it from their view .