seven o'clock
Wind it neatly , and closely , so that it will make no more show than necessary . '' This was soon done , and then Oswald started on his way ; and an hour later entered the tavern , and took his seat with three or four of the men from the hold , and called for wine for the party . He sat there for some time , and then one said : `` It is half-past eight ; we had best be going . At seven o'clock the gates are shut ; but they are opened , for those who belong to the hold , till nine , after which none are admitted till morning , and any who come in then are reported to Baird , and they are lucky if they get off with half a dozen extra goes of sentry duty . Baird is a good master in many things , but he is a bad man to deal with , when he is angry ; and if anyone was to be out a second time , and he did it too soon after the first offence , he would have his skin nearly flayed off his back , with a stirrup leather . There is no fooling with the Bairds . '' Oswald arranged with Roger that , if the latter remained in the castle , he should always come down half an hour before the garrison were moving , as they might then exchange a word or two unseen ; and accordingly , he took his place at an angle of a building , where he could keep his eye on the steps leading up to the battlements , on the north side .