midnight
To pass the time they had brought acid drops to bed with them , and sucked them slowly , so as to make them last as long as possible . They dared not talk , for fear of disturbing the others , though the temptation was great . Occasionally a stealthy hand would reach over to the next bed , to make sure of its occupant 's vigilance , and the squeeze would be passed on down the row of seven . When the old grandfather clock on the stairs chimed midnight , Raymonde and Morvyth rose quietly , and donned dressing-gowns and bedroom slippers , then , with a final signal to their fellow mystics , crept cautiously out of the room . The passage was very dark , but Morvyth had brought her electric torch , and flashed a ray of light in front of them . It felt decidedly spooky , and they were thankful to be together . They went up the stairs towards the servants ' quarters , and along an upper landing .