Two o'clock
No voice broke the stillness of the night . The watchman scarcely heard his own footsteps in the newly fallen snow as he slowly made his way along Middle Street , -LSB- 37 -RSB- with his lantern and staff . He was not expecting to encounter a burglar , breaking and entering a shop , store , or residence . He heard the clock strike once more , and was just pursing his lips to cry , `` Two o'clock , and all 's well , '' when he caught a glimpse of a figure in front of Theophilus Lillie 's store . -LSB- 38 -RSB- Was it a burglar ? The man was standing stock-still , as if scanning the premises . The watchman dodged back behind the building on the corner of the street , hid his lantern , and peered slyly at the thief , who was still looking at the store .