nine o'clock in the morning
I felt sure that his pretense of securing them was only an ineffectual ruse to gain time . I found nothing on his table of the least consequence , except a letter to Francezka , sealed and addressed . Of this I took possession . By nine o'clock in the morning , Count Saxe sent me across the river with a flag of truce , to Prince Eugene 's headquarters , to arrange for the exchange of Lieutenant Brohl for Gaston Cheverny . I was instructed to waive the required number of common men to make up the difference in rank , if that point were raised . On reaching the Austrian lines , I was politely escorted to headquarters , where Prince Eugene , that little great man , that mighty hunchback , received me courteously . I handed him Count Saxe 's letter and he took off his hat while reading it .