ten
o'clock
I tore two strips from the sheet of my bed , and wrapped them around my boots so as to cover the soles and deaden my footsteps . Slowly the night came , with stars and a moon well toward the full . But we could keep in shadow while about the chateau , and the light would aid our travelling later . At half-past ten o'clock , the house seemed so still I thought the Count must have gone to bed before his usual time . I stole noiselessly from my room , feeling my way ; and partly down the stairs . But when I got to the head of the lower flight , I saw that the hall was still lighted . I peered over the railing .