eleven o'clock
`` Scorched -- yes , '' repeated the Colonel , failing to catch the rest of the sentence in his excitement . There was a prolonged silence in the room , in which I heard the gurgling of the oil in the lamp and the click of the coals and the heavy breathing of our host . The most unwelcome sensations were creeping about my spine , and I wondered whether my companion would scorn me utterly if I asked to sleep on the sofa in his room . It was eleven o'clock , I saw by the clock on the mantelpiece . We had crossed the dividing line and were now well in the movement of the adventure . The fight between my interest and my dread became acute . But , even if turning back had been possible , I think the interest would have easily gained the day .