twelve o'clock
Beyond the discovery of the whistle , and a revolver , nothing more of importance was found , and all caught themselves wishing for the time for action to arrive . The surgeon dressed the man 's wounds and declared him to be in no immediate danger , after which they carried him upstairs to a remote room , where it would be quite impossible for him to give any warning to his confederates , even if he should have the strength . The hour came at last when poor Patty felt worn out with suspense and fearful anxiety ; came , when Mrs. Tucker and her two maids were strung up to an almost hysterical pitch of excitement ; came , when Sam was beginning to look absolutely hollow-eyed with watching every movement of the police with admiring yet fearful glances . It was twelve o'clock . The grandfather 's clock on the stairs had struck the hour in company with several silvery chimes about the house , making music when all else was still as death . Up to that time the sky had been dark and lowering , causing darkness to reign supreme , till the full moon , suddenly emerging from the heavy flying clouds , lighted up the house and its surroundings with its refulgent beams . Then suddenly throughout the silent night there rang forth a low , soft , piercing whistle .