three in the morning
The man in the crape hatband was standing on the opposite side of the street . He was standing with his face turned directly towards Velchaninoff 's window , but evidently unaware of the latter 's presence there , and was carefully examining the house , and apparently considering some question connected with it . He seemed to come to a decision after a moment 's thought , and raised his finger to his forehead ; then he looked quietly about him , and ran swiftly across the road on tiptoe . He reached the gate , and entered it ; this gate was often left open on summer nights until two or three in the morning . `` He 's coming to me , '' muttered Velchaninoff , and with equal caution he left the window , and ran to the front door ; arrived in the hall , he stood in breathless expectation before the door , and placed his trembling hand carefully upon the hook which he had fastened a few minutes since , and stood listening for the tread of the expected footfall on the stairs . His heart was beating so loud that he was afraid he might miss the sound of the cautious steps approaching . He could understand nothing of what was happening , but it seemed clear that his dream was about to be realised .