midnight
responded Peke , under his breath ; , `` aint ' e sleepin ' sound ? '' `` Sound as a babe ! '' Slowly and noiselessly they stepped backward , -- slowly and noiselessly they closed the door , and the faint echo of their stealthy footsteps creeping away along the outer passage to another part of the house , was hushed at last into silence . After a long pause of intense stillness , some clock below stairs struck midnight with a mellow clang , and Helmsley opening his eyes , lay waiting till the excited beating of his heart subsided , and his quickened breath grew calm . Blaming himself for his nervous terrors , he presently rose from his bed , and struck a match from the box which Miss Tranter had thoughtfully left beside him , and lit his candle . Something had been placed on his pillow , and curiosity moved him to examine it . He looked , -- but saw nothing save a mere screw of soiled newspaper .