four o'clock in the afternoon
But scarce had we finished supper in the little room which I had hired at the Gros Paon , when , from below , a stamping of hoofs , the jangle of arms , and the shouts of many men told me that we were overtaken . Clearly I did not burn with a desire to linger , but rather it seemed to me that although night had closed in , black and moonless , we must set out again , and push on to Monnerville , albeit our beasts were worn and the distance a good three leagues . With due precaution we effected our departure , and thereafter had a spur been needed to speed us on our way that spur we had in the knowledge that St. Auban came close upon our heels . At Monnerville we slept , and next morning we were early afoot ; by four o'clock in the afternoon we had reached Orleans , whence -- with fresh horses -- we pursued our journey as far as Meung , where we lay that night . There we were joined by a sturdy rascal whom Michelot enlisted into my service , seeing that not only did my means allow , but the enterprise upon which I went might perchance demand another body servant . This recruit was a swart , powerfully built man of about my own age ; trusty , and a lover of hard knocks , as Michelot -- who had long counted him among his friends -- assured me . He owned the euphonious name of Abdon .