eight o'clock
The explanation of this step is easy . Dubois feared that , seeing the arrest of Villeroy , they would suspect from whence the information came , and would question Buvat , and that he would confess all . This confession would , doubtless , have arrested the conspirators in the midst of their schemes , which , on the contrary , Dubois , informed beforehand of all their plans , wished to see carried to a point , so that in crushing one monster rebellion he might put an end to all lesser ones . Toward eight o'clock , as daylight began to fade , Buvat heard a great noise at his door , and a sort of metallic clashing , which did not tend to reassure him . He had heard plenty of lamentable stories of State prisoners who had been assassinated in their prisons , and he rose trembling and ran to the window . The court and gardens of the Palais Royal were full of people , the galleries began to be lighted up , the whole scene was full of gayety and light . He heaved a profound sigh , thinking perhaps that he might be bidding a last adieu to that life and animation .