one o'clock
As he passed through the camp of the Pomeranians , he saw the bodies of six soldiers swinging from the bough of a tree , close to the camp . He rode a little out of his way to discover the cause of this strange spectacle . In front of them was erected a large placard of canvas , with the words painted upon it : `` Marauders killed in the commission of crime , and their bodies hung by order of the king , as a lesson to anyone who ventures to break the law against plundering . '' Then he rode on his way , and did not return until one o'clock . The marshal was occupied . He therefore simply handed in the reply to the despatch that he had carried , and immediately retired . `` Is Mr. Drummond up ? ''