nine in the morning
And of these Rupert alone , or perhaps Rischenheim also , knew that the king was dead , and how the issue of last night had shaped itself under the compelling hand of wayward fortune . The king lay in peace on his bed , his grave was dug ; Sapt and James held the secret with solemn faith and ready lives . To Strelsau I must go to tell the queen that she was widowed , and to aim the stroke at young Rupert 's heart . At nine in the morning I started from the lodge . I was bound to ride to Hofbau and there wait for a train which would carry me to the capital . From Hofbau I could send a message , but the message must announce only my own coming , not the news I carried . To Sapt , thanks to the cipher , I could send word at any time , and he bade me ask Mr. Rassendyll whether he should come to our aid , or stay where he was .