midnight
So he walked about for more than an hour , looking and listening , and his own sad humour was lightened a little as he forgot to think of himself only . For it seemed a great thing to have been chosen to lead so many through a wilderness full of danger , and to know that more than a hundred thousand lives had been in his keeping , as it were , for two months , and were to be in his hand again , till he should lead them safely into Syria , or perish himself and leave his task to another . It was a task worth accomplishing and a trust worth his life . Then , at midnight , he was walking in a great procession after the King and Queen . Modestly he joined the ranks , and his man walked beside him carrying a torch , so that the light fell full upon his face . Some one knew him , and spoke to his neighbour . `` That is Sir Gilbert Warde , who is our guide , '' he said .