two
o'clock in the morning
They ca n't be far away ! '' But the wind was turning the flames toward the main building ; and it became necessary , before all things , to ward off the danger . They all exerted themselves with the greater ardor inasmuch as M. de Gesvres , hurrying to the scene of the disaster , encouraged them with the promise of a reward . By the time that they had mastered the flames , it was two o'clock in the morning . All pursuit would have been vain . `` We 'll look into it by daylight , '' said the sergeant . `` They are sure to have left traces : we shall find them . ''