the hour of ten
The turnkey weighed the gold , and looked sharp at Glossin . `` Ay , ay , Mr. Glossin , ye ken the ways o ' this place . -- Lookee , at lock-up hour , I 'll return and bring ye upstairs to him -- But ye must stay a ' night in his cell , for I am under necessity to carry the keys to the captain for the night , and I can not let you out again until morning -- then I 'll visit the wards half an hour earlier than usual , and ye may get out , and be snug in your ain berth when the captain gangs his rounds . '' When the hour of ten had pealed from the neighbouring steeple , Mac-Guffog came prepared with a small dark lantern . He said softly to Glossin , `` Slip your shoes off , and follow me . '' When Glossin was out of the door , Mac-Guffog , as if in the execution of his ordinary duty , and speaking to a prisoner within , called aloud , `` Good-night to you , sir , '' and locked the door , clattering the bolts with much ostentatious noise . He then guided Glossin up a steep and narrow stair , at the top of which was the door of the condemned ward ; he unbarred and unlocked it , and , giving Glossin the lantern , made a sign to him to enter , and locked the door behind him with the same affected accuracy .