midnight
This thought filled him with horror of himself and with dread for the future , and yet it was the only plan that gave any hope of success . And even when he sprang to his feet and walked hastily up and down among the out-houses he could hit upon no other scheme . And how fast the minutes flew ! The third hour after midnight must be quite close at hand , and he had scarcely left himself time to rush back into the palace , throw himself on his couch , and call Mastor . Quite bewildered with agitation and tottering like a drunken man he hastened back into the old tower where he had left his torch leaning against the wall and looked up the stone stairs ; it suddenly flashed through his mind that he might go up again to fling himself down them . What did he care for his miserable life . His fall , his cry , would bring the Emperor down from his observatory and he knew that he would not leave his bleeding favorite uncared for and untended he could count upon that .