the hour of nine
We will trust these men . They dare not play us false even though they would , because their own lives would be forfeited . -- Hadji Baba , it may be well for thee to know that , while we avail ourselves of thine aid and that of thy friends , we are quite independent of it , because it happens that the train is already laid , and nothing that thou couldst do , not even the instant alarm of the palace guards , could prevent it from being fired , I believe thee faithful , but this information may help to increase thy fidelity . Go , and , hark ` ee , be very careful to have the guards well placed and looked after to-night at _ the hour of nine _ . '' `` Madman ! '' exclaimed the elder chaouse , after Omar and Hassan had left , `` you have put the bow-string round our necks as well as your own . '' `` True , '' answered Baba , with a bland smile , `` and if we would not have it drawn tight , we must e ` en obey the commands of Omar the Dey . ''