about two o'clock in the morning
`` I swear by the life of my father , '' said Loaysa , `` and by this sign of the cross , which I kiss with my unworthy mouth ; '' and crossing two of his fingers , he kissed them three times . `` That will do , '' said one of the women ; `` and now , señor , be sure you do n't forget the powder , for that is the main thing of all . '' Here the conversation ended for that night , and all parties retired highly satisfied with the interview . Good luck had evidently declared in favour of Loaysa ; and just then , about two o'clock in the morning , it brought his friends to the door . On their giving the usual signal by blowing a French horn , he went to the door , told them what progress he had made , and asked had they brought the powder or other drug to put Carrizales to sleep . At the same time , he spoke to them respecting the master-key . They told him that on the following night they would bring the powder , or else an ointment of such virtue that one had only to rub the patient 's wrists and temples with it to throw him into such a profound sleep , that he would not wake for two days , unless the anointed parts were well washed with vinegar .