about midnight
Things thus arranged , they observed almost an implicit silence , no one being allowed to speak , except in a low whisper . For a long time no sound was heard except the hollow roar of winds in the neighbouring forest , their whistling around the angles of the mansion , or the hoarse murmers of the distant surge . The night was dark , and only illuminated by the feeble twinkling of half clouded stars . They had watched until about midnight , when they were alarmed by noises in the rooms below , among which they could distinguish footsteps and human voices . Alonzo and Edgar , then taking each a pistol in one hand , and a drawn sword in the other , ordered their men to follow them , prepared for action . Coming to the head of the stairs , they saw a brilliant light streaming into the hall ; they therefore concluded to take no candles , and to prevent discovery they took off their shoes . When they came into the hall opposite the door of the room from whence the light and noises proceeded , they discovered ten men genteelly dressed , sitting around a table , on which was placed a considerable quantity of gold and silver coin , a number of glasses and several decanters of wine .