Midnight
Master Zacharius lay upon the floor ; Gerande was praying beside him , more dead than alive . Of a sudden a dry , hard noise was heard , which preceded the strike . Master Zacharius sprang up . `` Midnight ! '' he cried . The hermit stretched out his hand towards the old clock , -- and midnight did not sound . Master Zacharius uttered a terrible cry , which must have been heard in hell , when these words appeared : --