midnight
The ensuing day was spent partly in sleep , and partly in languor and disquietude . I incessantly ruminated on the incidents of the last night . The scheme that I had formed was defeated . Was it likely that this unknown person would repeat his midnight visits to the elm ? If he did , and could again be discovered , should I resolve to undertake a new pursuit , which might terminate abortively , or in some signal disaster ? But what proof had I that the same route would be taken , and that he would again inter himself alive in the same spot ? Or , if he did , since his reappearance would sufficiently prove that the cavern was not dangerous , and that he who should adventure in might hope to come out again in safety , why not enter it after him ?