midnight
Such extreme care indeed was exercised by those who were pulling the strings that no sign whatever of the Inca 's fast-waning popularity was for a moment permitted to manifest itself . The process of corrupting the palace officials and staff generally was found to be exceptionally tedious and difficult , for Escombe 's genial disposition and straightforward character enabled him to endear himself without effort to everybody with whom he was brought into intimate contact . But it was accomplished at length by the exercise of almost superhuman ingenuity , with a solitary exception in the case of Arima , who , it was at once recognised , was so faithfully and devotedly attached to his royal master that it would be worse than folly to attempt to corrupt him ; he was therefore left severely alone ; the most stringent precautions being taken to keep the whole thing secret from him . Matters had reached the stage above indicated when Escombe , having grappled with an exceptionally arduous day 's work , retired to rest close upon midnight , and soon afterward sank into a heavy sleep , only to be , as it seemed , almost instantly awakened by the light of torches flashing upon his closed eyelids , and the scuffle of sandalled feet about his couch . Springing up into a sitting posture in his bed , he opened his eyes , still heavy with sleep , to find his chamber full of men -- many of whom were armed -- conspicuous among whom were Huanacocha and Xaxaguana , the new Villac Vmu . `` Why , my Lord Huanacocha , '' he exclaimed , rubbing his eyes to assure himself that he was awake , `` what does this mean ? How did you get in here ?