twelve o'clock
Stratton frowned , but said nothing , and in due time the dinner came , was eaten , and the evening became a repetition of the last , but with the difference that Stratton seemed far more calm and able to keep himself under control . But as the night wore on he stubbornly refused to go to bed . If his friend intended to stay there in a chair , he would do the same . `` Compulsion will only make him wild and irritate his wound , '' thought Guest , and twelve o'clock struck as they settled themselves in their chairs as before . `` Better humour him , '' said Guest to himself , as he felt more content with the change growing in his friend ; `` he 'll be better to-morrow , and then , perhaps , tell me all about his trouble . '' The lamp had been turned down , so that the room was very gloomy , but there was light enough for Guest to make out the weird aspect of the busts and various natural history specimens about , one great eagle owl over the door catching a gleam of the lamp , and looking , with its fixed glass eyes , fully aware of the mystery overhanging the place . The various articles of furniture , too , assumed a strange guise , and cast shadows of a startling nature ; but , after a few minutes , Guest settled down to the contemplation of his friend , whose eyes seemed to be closed , though a few minutes later a faint scintillation showed that he was still awake and watchful .