midnight
He ran rapidly from the spot , leaving Frank to pursue his way alone , and ponder upon this remarkable encounter . Leaving the Park , and turning to the left , Frank proceeded up Chatham street towards the Bowery . As he was passing a house of humble but respectable exterior , he observed the street door to open , and a female voice said , in a low tone -- ` Young gentleman I wish to speak to you . ' Frank was not much surprised at being thus accosted , for his long residence in New York had made him aware of the fact that courtezans often resorted to that mode of procuring ` patronage ' from such midnight pedestrians as might happen to be passing their doors . His first impulse was to walk on without noticing the invitation -- but then the thought suggested itself to his mind : ` Might I not possibly be of some use or benefit to that frail one ? I will see what she has to say . ' Reasoning thus , he stepped up to the door , when the female who had accosted him took him gently by the hand , and drawing him into the entry , closed the door .