midnight
Once alone , there were many questions which Ellerey regretted he had not put to his host , and some misgivings arose in his mind whether he had not been led to promise service which might be contrary to the oath which he had taken to the King . The scheme to enlist his help had evidently been carefully considered and prepared , with the result that he had pledged himself to some hazardous task of the nature of which he was entirely ignorant . Not a clue had been given him , and were he desirous of turning traitor , he realized that it was not within his power to do so . Not a word of information could he speak , and who would believe that alone , and apparently unattended , the Queen had visited the Altstrasse at midnight ? That she had done so for the purpose of speaking to him proved to Ellerey that her need for him was urgent ; that she had explained nothing pointed to the fact that she was not inclined to trust him fully at present . `` I judge there is work for my sword , '' he said , as he drew his cloak closer round him . `` It would seem there is employment for my wits also .