midnight
It was raining and blowing when I waked , and it ceased not all the day , coming to a hailstorm towards night . I felt sure that my guards without would , on such a day , relax their vigilance . In the evening I listened , and heard no voices nor any sound of feet , only the pelting rain and the whistling wind . Yet I did not stir till midnight . Then I slung the knapsack in front of me , so that I could force it through the window first , and tying my handkerchief round the iron bars , I screwed it up with my stick . Presently the bars came together , and my way was open . I got my body through by dint of squeezing , and let myself go plump into the mire below .