one a.m
Then from the last chair of the line came a long-drawn , chuckling laugh , a laugh of pride , of amusement , of relief , `` Well , upon my word ! '' said in quiet , incisive tones the voice of Henry Scott -LRB- of the Psychical Research Society -RRB- . `` I hardly dared to hope for so complete a triumph ! My good friends , it is one a.m. . As the clock struck twelve you sank into hypnotic trance ; on the point of its striking one , you emerged . The hour of interval was telescoped in your waking consciousness to a few seconds . As for the lights -- at half-past twelve Doctor Pennock went to bed .