nine o'clock
The sound of taps had just died away , and the watchmen were making their rounds , when they discovered three men in the deep shadow of the broad avenue , and drove them into the house . `` Are you officers , eh ? '' the head-watchman , a stocky corporal of the landsturm , with grey on his temples , growled and blustered good-naturedly . `` Privates must be in bed by nine o'clock . '' To preserve a show of authority he added with poorly simulated bearishness : `` Well , are you going or not ? '' He was about to give his usual order , `` Quick , take to your legs ! '' but caught himself just in time , and made a face as though he had swallowed something .