midnight
You may then retire to rest for as long a time as you please . '' `` Agreed , '' said the skeleton ; and , quite recovered from his alarm , he shook hands with Tom in ratification of the bargain . Tom found the money , distributed it among the creditors , and passed every night for the next month in the old churchyard , observing his beloved skeleton , which as it moved into any position he desired , gave him an opportunity of studying the motion of the bones , in a way that had not been enjoyed by any other anatomist . The young enthusiast , sitting at midnight with the strange assistant to his pursuits , would have been a delightful sight , had any one possessed the courage to stop and look at the party . When the month had expired , Tom and his good friend shook hands and parted with great regret ; but Tom had completely retained in his mind all he had seen and laid the foundation of that profound anatomical science by which he was afterwards so much distinguished . It is needless to add that this is the true account of the early career of the celebrated Dr. -- , and that all others are baseless fabrications . JOHN OXENFORD .