midnight
He endeavoured to calm the apprehensions of his mother , and to assure her that there was no truth in all the rumours she had heard ; she looked at him dubiously , and shook her head ; but finding his determination was not to be shaken , she brought him a little thick Dutch Bible , with brass clasps , to take with him , as a sword wherewith to fight the powers of darkness ; and , lest that might not be sufficient , the housekeeper gave him the Heidelburgh catechism by way of dagger . The next night , therefore , Dolph took up his quarters for the third time in the old mansion . Whether dream or not , the same thing was repeated . Towards midnight , when every thing was still , the same sound echoed through the empty halls -- tramp -- tramp -- tramp ! The stairs were again ascended ; the door again swung open ; the old man entered , walked round the room , hung up his hat , and seated himself by the table . The same fear and trembling came over poor Dolph , though not in so violent a degree . He lay in the same way , motionless and fascinated , staring at the figure , which regarded him , as before , with a dead , fixed , chilling gaze .