twelve o'clock
It was customary with him , when called up at night to visit a patient , to ring for Sam . But this time , the servant was nowhere to be found . The doctor struck a light and looked for clothes ; they , too , were gone . It was twelve o'clock , and the doctor 's clothes , hat , boots , and even his watch , were nowhere to be found . Here was a pretty dilemma for a doctor to be in . It was some time before the physician could fit himself out so as to make the visit . At last , however , he started with one of the farm-horses , for Sam had taken the doctor 's best saddle-horse .