nearly three o’clock in the morning
The Frenchman followed in despair ; the ape , razor still in hand , occasionally stopping to look back and gesticulate at its pursuer , until the latter had nearly come up with it . It then again made off . In this manner the chase continued for a long time . The streets were profoundly quiet , as it was nearly three o'clock in the morning . In passing down an alley in the rear of the Rue Morgue , the fugitive 's attention was arrested by a light gleaming from the open window of Madame L'Espanaye 's chamber , in the fourth story of her house . Rushing to the building , it perceived the lightning rod , clambered up with inconceivable agility , grasped the shutter , which was thrown fully back against the wall , and , by its means , swung itself directly upon the headboard of the bed . The whole feat did not occupy a minute .