nine
o'clock
She returned in a minute , and beckoned to them to follow her . They soon arrived at a room which was simply furnished with a few chairs and an armchair placed at a table . Across the two windows hung heavy curtains , and behind these the midshipmen took their places , the curtains extending far enough beyond the windows for them to stand between them and the walls ; so that any one going to the windows would not necessarily see them . Then leaving them with many injunctions to remain quiet , and with a promise to return at the end of the day and release them , she left , being , she said , due with her pupils at nine o'clock . For half an hour the boys conversed in low tones with each other as to their chances of escape . Then footsteps were heard , and the governor entered , followed by several officers . He took his seat at the table .