nearly midnight
The General , leaning out of the carriage window , was also looking back anxiously . ` They have sent a messenger to Madrid , Excellency , with the news that the Queen is on the road to Toledo , ' said Concepçion . ` It is well , ' answered Vincente , with a laugh . As they journeyed , although it was nearly midnight , there appeared from time to time , and for the most part in the neighbourhood of a village , one who seemed to have been awaiting their passage , and immediately set out on foot or horseback by one of the shorter bridle-paths that abound in Spain . No one of these spies escaped the notice of Concepçion , whose training amid the mountains of Andalusia had sharpened his eyesight and added keenness to every sense . ` It is like a cat walking down an alley full of dogs , ' he muttered . At last the lights of Toledo hove in sight , and across the river came the sound of the city clocks tolling the hour .