the hour
of twelve o'clock
These sounds and sights became gradually of more rare occurrence ; at length they altogether ceased , and I was left to enjoy my solitary walk on the shores of the Clyde in solemn silence , broken only by the tolling of the successive hours from the steeples of the churches . But as the night advanced my impatience at the uncertainty of the situation in which I was placed increased every moment , and became nearly ungovernable . I began to question whether I had been imposed upon by the trick of a fool , the raving of a madman , or the studied machinations of a villain , and paced the little quay or pier adjoining the entrance to the bridge , in a state of incredible anxiety and vexation . At length the hour of twelve o'clock swung its summons over the city from the belfry of the metropolitan church of St. Mungo , and was answered and vouched by all the others like dutiful diocesans . The echoes had scarcely ceased to repeat the last sound , when a human form -- the first I had seen for two hours -- appeared passing along the bridge from the southern shore of the river . I advanced to meet him with a feeling as if my fate depended on the result of the interview , so much had my anxiety been wound up by protracted expectation . All that I could remark of the passenger as we advanced towards each other , was that his frame was rather beneath than above the middle size , but apparently strong , thick-set , and muscular ; his dress a horseman 's wrapping coat .