2 A.M.
Which is my case exactly . I have seen so many horrid visitants from other worlds that they hardly affect me at all , so far as the mere inspiration of terror is concerned . On the other hand , they interest me hugely ; and while I must admit that I do experience all the purely physical sensations that come from horrific encounters of this nature , I can truly add in my own behalf that mentally I can rise above the physical impulse to run away , and , invariably standing my ground , I have gained much useful information concerning them . I am prepared to assert that if a thing with flashing green eyes , and clammy hands , and long , dripping strips of sea-weed in place of hair , should rise up out of the floor before me at this moment , 2 A.M. , and nobody in the house but myself , with a fearful , nerve-destroying storm raging outside , I should without hesitation ask it to sit down and light a cigar and state its business -- or , if it were of the female persuasion , to join me in a bottle of sarsaparilla -- although every physical manifestation of fear of which my poor body is capable would be present . I have had experiences in this line which , if I could get you to believe them , would convince you that I speak the truth . Knowing weak , suspicious human nature as I do , however , I do not hope ever to convince you -- though it is none the less true -- that on one occasion , in the spring of 1895 , there was a spiritual manifestation in my library which nearly prostrated me physically , but which mentally I hugely enjoyed , because I was mentally strong enough to subdue my physical repugnance for the thing which suddenly and without any apparent reason materialized in my arm-chair . I 'm going to tell you about it briefly , though I warn you in advance that you will find it a great strain upon your confidence in my veracity .