midnight
`` Simon could only gasp at this proposal ; but the magnificence of the reward was too much for him . ` Done ! ' he cried ; and without considering the consequences , agreed to pass a night among the ghosts . The only requirement was that he should go to the house before midnight , and remain there until sunrise . `` The weeks passed , and the wager was apparently forgotten ; at least , Simon hoped that it was , for he had repented his rashness . But it was not forgotten ; when the time drew near , he was reminded of it , and became more apprehensive . Were those stories true ?