twelve o'clock
Its huge mass loomed up dark and sullen amid the trees which surrounded it , looking more like some giant sarcophagus than a human habitation . To our overwrought nerves there was something of terror in its mere bulk and its silence . We stood for some little time peering at it through the darkness , and then we made our way back to the parlour again , where we sat waiting -- waiting , we knew not for what , and yet with absolute conviction that some terrible experience was in store for us . It was twelve o'clock or thereabout when my sister suddenly sprang to her feet and held up her fingers to bespeak attention . `` Do you hear nothing ? '' she asked . I strained my ears , but without success .