midnight
Shouting , struggling , swaying to and fro , the contest went on , much to the amusement of a crowd of spectators , among which the tall , blue-coated form of a policeman loomed up prominently , although he deigned not to interfere . At length the weight of superior numbers began to tell , and despite all their efforts the anti-hoisting party were borne slowly but surely toward the fence , upon which some of the boys had already taken their positions , ready to have Paul handed up to them . The case was looking desperate , and Teter , heated and wearied with his exertions , had just said , in his deepest tones , to Bert and Frank , `` Come , boys , all together , try it once more , '' when suddenly a silence fell upon the noisy mob , and their arms , a moment before locked in tense struggling , fell limply to their sides ; for there , standing between them and the fence , his keen , dark face lighted with a curious smile , and holding his hand above his head by way of a shield from the hot sun , stood Dr. Johnston ! A genuine ghost at midnight could hardly have startled the boys more . Absorbed in their struggle , they had not seen the doctor until they were fairly upon him . For aught they knew he had been a spectator of the proceedings from the outset . What would he think of them ?