midnight
A step upon the stair , slow and heavy , a step that Peter Mowbray knew . The companion sentry had remained below at the street door , and now called to his fellow of the guard to open . ... Peter was abashed before his friend like a child that had disobeyed , and come to believe that he knew better than the father . It was Big Belt at midnight . `` I brought your shaving-tackle , '' he said . `` Hello , Peter . '' The face in the thin ray looked like polished metal .