midnight
`` Very well , '' said the Bailly , `` I will think about it . '' The next morning at day-break , the hangman with his cart came to the prison , and hardly had he arrived than there came the Bailly with his sergeants , and a great crowd of people to accompany them , and the poor fellow was laid , bound , on the cart , and still holding the bagpipe he was accustomed to play . Thus he was led to the gibbet , accompanied by a larger crowd than most have at their hanging , so much was he hated in the town . Now you must know that his comrades of the garrison of Sainte Menehould had not forgotten their ambuscade , and ever since midnight had been collected near the gibbet , to save their friend , although he was not overwise , and also to capture prisoners and whatever else they could . When they arrived they took up their position , and put a sentinel in a tree to watch when the Troyes folk should be gathered round the gibbet . The sentinel was placed in his position , and promised that he would keep a good watch . Then all the crowd came to the gibbet , and the Bailli gave order to despatch the poor fool , who for his part wondered where his comrades were , and why they did not rush out on these rascally Armagnacs .