midnight
An hour went by ; the host looked in to see if the captain required anything . Another hour sped on , and the captain dozed . He awoke with a start . The fire had burned low , and the hands of the huge clock in the corner pointed to midnight . From the passage came to him the sound of steps and angry voices . Before Hogan could rise , the door was flung wide , and a tall , gaunt man was hustled across the threshold by two soldiers . His head was bare , and his hair wet and dishevelled .