midnight
And then the door would be opened , and Hugh -- The bell of the cathedral tolled , and fearfully she counted its strokes . It was twelve o'clock . Renwick waited in his place of concealment near the blue door , listening and watching eagerly . Something was happening in the house with the _ meshrebiya _ windows , for it was after midnight , and all Islam was asleep . There were sounds of whispering again , but when he peered out there was no one in sight . Then he thought he heard footsteps ; but whether they came from the direction of the house of the lighted window , or whether from up the street he could not yet decide . Now he was sure of them .