midnight
There was no mistake about it though , for the trellis was still quivering , and as I looked out it seemed to me that he must have dropped part of the way and darted round the house . It was very early , but the sun was shining brightly over the dew-wet trees and plants , and a fresh , delicious scent came in at the open window . My headache and giddiness had gone , taking with them my low-spirited feeling , and dressing quickly I thought I would have a run round the garden and a look at Shock before Old Brownsmith came down . `` I wonder where Shock sleeps and lives , '' I said to myself as I walked round peering about the place , finding the cart gone , for I had not heard the opening gate , and crushing and bumping of the wheels as it went out at midnight . The great sheds and pits seemed to be empty , and as I went down one of the long paths the garden was quite deserted , the men and women not having come . `` They must be late , '' I thought , when I heard the old clock at Isleworth Church begin to strike , and listening I counted five . It was an hour earlier than I thought for , and turning down a path to the left I walked towards a sort of toolshed right in the centre of the garden , and , to my surprise , saw that the little roughly-built chimney in one corner of the building was sending out a column of pale-blue smoke .