midnight
Once more there was a groan , and directly afterwards , at a spot where a gleam of starlight came through the window , he caught a glimpse of a tall figure gliding across the room . He fired at the instant ; this time his pistol went off . There was a hoarse laugh as before ; but when he sprang up , hoping to seize his untimely visitor , the figure had disappeared , and he ran his head against the edge of the door which had been left open . So unusual a sound as the report of a pistol in a quiet household at midnight soon brought most of the inmates to his room . The captain came stumping down in a red nightcap and an old pea-coat ; Tom had quickly slipped into a pair of trousers , and had a yellow handkerchief round his head ; Becky appeared , her countenance ornamented with huge curlpapers , in a flannel petticoat and piece of chintz curtain over her shoulders ; while the stout lieutenant , unable to find his garments in the dark , had groped his way up wrapped in a blanket , when coming suddenly in front of Becky , she shrieked out , `` A ghost ! a ghost ! a ghost ! ''