midnight
The police-officer shook his head , and declared that some of the palace servants were waiting in the antechamber . They were summoned . Mefres questioned them , and it appeared that the heir had not slept in the palace . He had left his chamber before midnight , and gone to the garden ; he returned when the first trumpet sounded . When the witnesses had been led out , and the two dignitaries were alone , the nomarch threw himself on the pavement , and declared to Mefres that he was grievously ill , and would rather lose his life than carry on investigations . The high priest was very pale and excited ; but he replied that they must clear up a question of murder , and he commanded the nomarch in the name of the pharaoh-to go with him to Sarah 's dwelling . It was not far to the garden of the heir , and the two dignitaries soon found themselves at the place where the crime had been committed .