midnight
I looked down , and there the unhappy wretch was seen squatting and clinging to the slippery shingles of an old stable , unhurt , some twelve feet below us , unable to reascend , and very unwilling to adopt the only alternative which the case presented -- that of descending softly upon the rank bed of stable-ordure which the provident care of the gardener had raised up on every hand , the reeking fumes of which were potent enough to expel us very soon from our place of watch at the window . Of the further course of the elegant culprit we took no heed . The ludicrousness of his predicament had the effect of turning the whole adventure into merriment among those who remained in the establishment ; and availing ourselves of the clamorous mirth of the parties , we made our escape from the place with a feeling , on my part , of indescribable relief . How the Game was Played `` WELL , we may breathe awhile , '' said Kingsley , as we found ourselves once more in the pure air , and under the blue sky of midnight . `` We have got through an ugly task with tolerable success . You stood by me like a man , Clifford . I need not tell you how much I thank you . ''