midnight
Tom 's wits were a little confused , after the hard knock he had received upon the head , and all he could do was to stand and look at the oracle of Pinchbrook , and wait for further developments . `` Young man , '' said the squire , sternly , and in tones that were intended to make a deep impression upon the mind of the young man , `` your time has come . '' The squire paused , and looked at the culprit to ascertain the effect of the startling announcement ; but Tom seemed to be perfectly cool , and was not annihilated by the suggestive remark of the great man of Pinchbrook . `` You have become a midnight marauder , '' added the squire , poetically . `` It is n't seven o'clock yet , '' said Tom pointing to the great wooden clock in the corner of the room . `` You joined a mob to pillage and destroy the property of a peaceable citizen . You broke in -- '' `` No , sir ; the cellar door broke in , '' interposed the culprit .