midnight
There was no light in the room save that which Craney carried ; the one window was blanketed ; sufficient air came through the loopholes , and the window sash was down against the hound pups that would otherwise have had free entrance . Then Craney went to bed and almost immediately to sleep , and heard nothing until after one o'clock , when , with shocking news , men came banging at his double-locked and bolted door . Strong was one of the first to stir him , and Strong 's face was white , as well it might be . As the sentries began calling midnight he had left Willett at the office , saying he must turn in for a few hours ' rest . Willett , seemingly in excellent spirits , had been writing a few pages and addressing envelopes . `` I 'll follow in twenty minutes or so , '' said he , `` for I , too , need a snooze . I 'll be up as soon as I 've finished a little business . ''