nine o'clock
The host really had a horse at his disposal , and in a quarter of an hour Benedetto , accompanied by the host 's son , was on the road to Compiegne , which he reached about midnight . After he had discharged the boy at the market-place of the little city , he went to the inn called the Bell and Bottle , which he had patronized in former times , and to which he was admitted now . After Benedetto had eaten a hearty supper , he inquired if he could get a room on the ground floor , but was forced to accept one on the first story , as the other had been taken by a young man who had just arrived with his sister . The hunted culprit was so tired out by his exertions that he fell into a deep sleep , and did not wake up early next morning , as he had intended , but at nine o'clock . Struck by an indescribable fear , he quickly dressed himself and peered through the window blinds . He recoiled in terror , for his first glance had fallen upon two policemen who leaned against the doors with their guns in their hands . His first thoughts were that he was followed and was lost .