two in the morning
But the Knight of Tunstall was one who never rested from money-getting ; and even now , when he was on the brink of an adventure which should make or mar him , he was up an hour after midnight to squeeze poor neighbours . He was one who trafficked greatly in disputed inheritances ; it was his way to buy out the most unlikely claimant , and then , by the favour he curried with great lords about the king , procure unjust decisions in his favour ; or , if that was too round-about , to seize the disputed manor by force of arms , and rely on his influence and Sir Oliver 's cunning in the law to hold what he had snatched . Kettley was one such place ; it had come very lately into his clutches ; he still met with opposition from the tenants ; and it was to overawe discontent that he had led his troops that way . By two in the morning , Sir Daniel sat in the inn room , close by the fireside , for it was cold at that hour among the fens of Kettley . By his elbow stood a pottle of spiced ale . He had taken off his visored headpiece , and sat with his bald head and thin dark visage resting on one hand , wrapped warmly in a sanguine-coloured cloak . At the lower end of the room about a dozen of his men stood sentry over the door or lay asleep on benches ; and , somewhat nearer hand , a young lad apparently of twelve or thirteen was stretched in a mantle on the floor .