midnight
The Serbian minister who had sent word to the chancellor of the invasion by the Austrian troops was closeted with him for an hour after his arrival at the palace . It was clear to both these men that the hand of Zellerndorf was plainly in evidence in both the important moves that had occurred in Lutha within the past twenty-four hours -- the luring of the king to Blentz and the entrance of Austrian soldiery into Lutha . Following his interview with the Serbian minister Von der Tann rode toward Blentz with only his staff in attendance . It was long past midnight when the lights of the town appeared directly ahead of the little party . They rode at a trot along the road which passes through the village to wind upward again toward the ancient feudal castle that looks down from its hilltop upon the town . At the edge of the village Von der Tann was thunderstruck by a challenge from a sentry posted in the road , nor was his dismay lessened when he discovered that the man was an Austrian . `` What is the meaning of this ? ''