midnight
-- `` God of the heavens , what is this ? '' Presently a voice was heard crying , `` The King , the King ! '' and all , as if moved by one spirit , replied , `` The King , the King ! '' Then for a moment there was a silence stiller than the midnight hour , and drum , nor bell , nor voice was heard , but a rushing of the multitude towards St Mary 's Port , which leads to the Kirk o ' Field . Among others , my grandfather hastened to the spot by Todrick 's Wynd ; and as he was running down towards the postern gate , he came with great violence against a man who was struggling up through the torrent of the people , without cap or cloak , and seemingly maddened with terrors . Urged by some strong instinct , my grandfather grasped him by the throat ; for , by the glimpse of the lights that were then placing at every window , he saw it was Winterton . But a swirl of the crowd tore them asunder , and he had only time to cry , `` It 's ane of Bothwell 's men . ''