four o'clock
As he drew the shades , from sheer force of habit he glanced across at the cottage . Its lights were burning brightly , their quiet steadiness giving no hint of the hideous carnival within . No healthy man can go to bed , two hours before his usual time , and expect to sleep peacefully till dawn . At four o'clock , Thayer waked suddenly , with the firm belief that his slumber must have reached quite around the clock . He struck a match and looked at his watch . Restlessly he rose and began to walk up and down the room . The storm had increased during the night .