midnight
Accordingly , about half-past nine , I put the book into my pocket , and strolled leisurely towards the haunted house . I took with me a favourite dog , -- an exceedingly sharp , bold , and vigilant bull-terrier , -- a dog fond of prowling about strange ghostly corners and passages at night in search of rats -- a dog of dogs for a ghost . It was a summer night , but chilly , the sky somewhat gloomy and overcast . Still there was a moon -- faint and sickly , but still a moon -- and if the clouds permitted , after midnight it would be brighter . I reached the house , knocked , and my servant opened with a cheerful smile . `` All right , sir , and very comfortable . '' `` Oh ! ''