midnight
But do n't use them if you can possibly help it . '' They cantered off , a party of six , all firm in the saddle , and passed the barracks without attracting much attention , as it was dark . The difficulty was to know what road Villemet had taken , but they all agreed they must chance it , and go straight away to Spalding . Thither they galloped as fast as horses ' legs could carry them , arriving there soon after midnight . A belated hostler at one of the inns was asked whether he had seen a horseman , or horsemen , pass through the town lately . He scratched his head and meditated . `` Aye , to be sure I have .