ten o'clock
`` See or hear anything , Will ? '' inquired Hawley , as the two freshmen stopped and listened intently as they peered all about them . `` Not a thing , '' whispered Will in response . The lights in the little homes were already out , for the people of Coventry Center were not believers in keeping untimely hours , and the twinkling lights of the little village for the most part disappeared before ten o'clock arrived . It was about that hour when Will Phelps and Hawley stopped at the end of the one straggling street to try to discover if there were any signs of the presence of their enemies or classmates . `` Shall we wait or put straight for the minister 's house ? '' inquired Hawley .