midnight
After continuing in this frightful state for about an hour , he fell into a profound sleep resembling a dead faint When he awoke he asked for wine ; and , after he had got what he wanted , he sent away the man who was going to sit with him , and locked himself in his room as usual . V -- had indeed really resolved to make the attempt he spoke of to Daniel , although at the same time he could not forget two facts . In the first place , Daniel , having now been made aware of his propensity to walk in his sleep , would probably adopt every measure of precaution to avoid him ; and on the other hand , confessions made whilst in this condition would not be exactly fitted to serve as a basis for further proceedings . In spite of this , however , he repaired to the hall on the approach of midnight , hoping that Daniel , as frequently happens to those afflicted in this way , would be constrained to act involuntarily . About midnight there arose a great noise in the courtyard . V -- plainly heard a window broken in ; then he went downstairs , and as he traversed the passages he was met by rolling clouds of suffocating smoke , which , he soon perceived were pouring out of the open door of the house-steward 's room . The steward himself was just being carried out , to all appearance dead , in order to be taken and put to bed in another room .