eleven o'clock
And they went and set up the pole in the very middle of the meadow just outside the gates of the town . Then he sent his heralds out to north and south and east and west to summon the people together , because he said he had something very important and special to say to them . And the people came in tens , and fifties , and hundreds , men , women , and children ; and they stood waiting in front of the Palace steps till Gessler the Governor should come out and say something very important and special to them . And punctually at eleven o'clock , Gessler , having finished a capital breakfast , came out on to the top step and spoke to them . `` Ladies and gentlemen , '' -- he began . -LRB- A voice from the crowd : `` Speak up ! '' -RRB- `` Ladies and gentlemen , '' he began again , in a louder voice , `` if I could catch the man who said ` Speak up ! '