midnight
Whatever part of the conspirator 's plans depended on Phaon was sure to collapse . For the rest , Agias could only warn Drusus , and have the latter arm his clients and slaves , and call in his friends from the town . With such precautions Dumnorix could hardly venture to risk himself and his men , whatever might be the plot . Thus satisfied in mind , Agias arrived at the estate of the Drusi , close to Præneste , and demanded admittance , about two hours before midnight . He had some difficulty in stirring up the porter , and when that worthy at last condescended to unbar the front door , the young Greek was surprised and dismayed to hear that the master of the house had gone to visit a farm at Lanuvium , a town some fifteen miles to the south . Agias was thunderstruck ; he had not counted on Drusus being absent temporarily . But perhaps his very absence would cause the plot to fail .