eight
o’clock in the evening
Five minutes after , he was at the hostelry , where , according to the custom of all great officers who have lodgings at the castle , he had taken what was called his city-chamber . But when he arrived there , instead of throwing off his sword and cloak , he took his pistols , put his money into a large leather purse , sent for his horses from the castle-stables , and gave orders that would ensure their reaching Vannes during the night . Everything went on according to his wishes . At eight o'clock in the evening , he was putting his foot in the stirrup , when M. de Gesvres appeared , at the head of twelve guards , in front of the hostelry . D'Artagnan saw all from the corner of his eye ; he could not fail seeing thirteen men and thirteen horses . But he feigned not to observe anything , and was about to put his horse in motion . Gesvres rode up to him .