midnight
And there stood the poor befogged boy , holding the doomed bill between his thumb and finger , and staring gloomily at the flickering candle . At last the look of indecision vanished , and he began rapid preparations for a walk . -LSB- Illustration -RSB- Thus it was that Mr. Stephens , sitting in his private room running over long rows of figures , was startled , somewhere near midnight , by a quick ring of the door-bell . His household were quiet for the night , so he went himself to answer the ring , and encountered Tode , who thrust a bit of paper toward him , and spoke rapidly . `` Here , Mr. Stephens , is your ten dollars . I did n't steal it , but it blew to me , and I kept it till I found I could n't , and then I brought it . ''