about the hour of twelve
` I will contrive some means of deluding him into this house ; and once in here , he shall never again behold the light of day , ' replied the Dead Man , as he arose to withdraw . ` Stay a moment , ' said Julia , with some embarrassment -- ` there is also a colored man in Sydney 's house , and -- ' ` I know it -- he shall be liberated , ' interrupted the Dead Man , and added -- ` you shall see me again to-morrow -- farewell . ' He left the room , descended to the cellar , and passed through the secret passage to the Dark Vaults . That night at about the hour of twelve , the dark figure of a man crossed the garden in the rear of Frank Sydney 's house , and approached the iron door of the wine-vault wherein Nero , the African , was imprisoned . By the aid of skeleton keys he unlocked the door , and bade the prisoner come forth . The negro obeyed , surprised and delighted at his unexpected deliverance . ` To whom am I indebted for this friendly act ? '