midnight
Soon the light faded , the air grew chill , a gray mist rose from the river . The men crouched silently in their hiding places ; the only sounds were the melancholy lapping of the water , and the mournful cry of an occasional night-bird . M. Belloc 's commission was certainly an honour , but this watching was dreary work , and I thought with regret of my cosy quarters . It must have been an hour past midnight when Pillot , who had kept me company , whispered softly , `` Listen , monsieur ! Do you hear the beat of hoofs ? I should say there are a couple of horsemen coming this way . '' `` Or more .