midnight
`` It 's on the stroke of eleven . '' Zack muttered something savage in reply , which it is not perhaps advisable to report . The servant secured the lock and bolts , while he put his hat on the hall table , and lit his bedroom candle . * * * * * Rather more than an hour after this time -- or , in other words , a little past midnight -- the door opened again softly , and Zack appeared on the step , equipped for his nocturnal expedition . He hesitated , as he put the key into the lock from outside , before he closed the door behind him . He had never done this on former occasions ; he could not tell why he did it now . We are mysteries even to ourselves ; and there are times when the Voices of the future that are in us , yet not ours , speak , and make the earthly part of us conscious of their presence .