half past six
`` Come , come , '' said Maximilian , `` you grow bitter . Let us go to dinner before you abolish all the evils of the world , or I shall be disposed to quit New York and buy a corner lot in Utopia . '' Precisely as Rudolph had forecast , things came to pass . I arrived at the palace of the Prince at half past six ; at half past seven , my ordinary suit was covered with a braided livery , and I accompanied Rudolph to the council-chamber . We placed the table , chairs , pens , ink , paper , etc. , in order . Watching our opportunity , we drew aside a heavy box in which grew a noble specimen of the _ cactus grandiflorus _ in full bloom , the gorgeous flowers just opening with the sunset , and filling the chamber with their delicious perfume . I crawled through the opening ; took off my liveried suit ; handed it back to Rudolph ; he pushed the box into its place again ; I inserted the hooks in their staples , and the barricade was complete .