midnight
I placed the precious thing where he had told me , and arranged his limbs on the cushions . Then I opened everything , and leaving the servant in charge went my way to my rooms . On removing the silk and the wax which had protected me from the powerful drug , an indescribable odour which permeated my clothes ascended to my nostrils ; aromatic , yet pungent and penetrating ; I never smelt anything that it reminded me of , but I presume the compound contained something of the nature of an opiate . I took some books down to Isaacs ' rooms and passed the evening there , unwilling to leave him to the care of an inquisitive servant , and five minutes before midnight I awoke him in the manner he had directed . He seemed to be sleeping lightly , for he was awake in a moment , and his first action was to replace the vial in the curious safe . He professed himself perfectly restored ; and , indeed , on examining his bruise I found there was no swelling or inflammation . The odour of the medicament , which , as he had said , seemed to be very volatile , had almost entirely disappeared .