ten o'clock
After much reflection , he decided that it would be the better way to go out as he had gone before -- over the roof of the conservatory , and down the trellis . With the proper tools , therefore , he had removed the nails with which his father had secured the window of his chamber . He had then skilfully adjusted them , so that they appeared to be as his father had left them , though he could easily pull them out . At ten o'clock he retired as usual , but the hour of meeting was one o'clock , for the young rascals had come to the conclusion that their purpose could be better executed in the small hours of the morning , when the farmer and his man would probably be asleep . Richard waited impatiently till he heard the clock strike twelve . There had been no noise in the chamber of Mr. Presby for some time , and he concluded that the old gentleman must be asleep . He had gone to bed as usual , in order to remove any suspicion in case he should find it necessary to act the part of the sleep-walker again .