midnight
It was barely two inches long ; in another hour he would be in darkness . He replaced it in the candlestick and blew it out . In a physician 's office in Kearny Street three men sat about a table , drinking punch and smoking . It was late in the evening , almost midnight , indeed , and there had been no lack of punch . The gravest of the three , Dr. Helberson , was the host -- it was in his rooms they sat . He was about thirty years of age ; the others were even younger ; all were physicians . `` The superstitious awe with which the living regard the dead , '' said Dr. Helberson , `` is hereditary and incurable .