midnight
The street became deserted . Everything living which had a refuge sought it ; yet the gale increased : it howled and sang dirges ; it started the innumerable loose trifles in its way to waltzing over the bowlders ; every hinged fixture on the exposed house-fronts creaked and banged . Only a lover would voluntarily endure the outdoors of such a night -- a lover or a villain unusually bold . Near midnight -- so Sergius judged -- a dull redness began to tinge the cloud overhead , and brightening rapidly , it ere long cast a strong reflection downward . At first he was grateful for the light ; afterwhile , however , he detected an uproar distinguishable from the wind ; it had no rest or lulls , and in its rise became more and more a human tone . When shortly people rushed past his cover crying fire , he comprehended what it was . The illumination intensified .