midnight
The wallet sought its usual resting place for the night : under a pillow . He was healthy and he was tired . Two minutes after his head touched the pillow he was sound asleep , losing consciousness even as he fought to stay awake in order that he might continue to vex himself with the extraordinary behavior and statement of Putnam Jones . He was aroused shortly after midnight by shouts , apparently just outside his window . A man was calling in a loud voice from the road below ; an instant later he heard a tremendous pounding on the tavern door . Springing out of bed , he rushed to the window . There were horses in front of the house , -- several of them , -- and men on foot moving like shadows among them .