midnight
Satisfied with this answer , the pilgrim , without further parley , heartily exhorted Aldobrandino to be of good cheer ; assuring him that , before the next day was done , he should be certified beyond all manner of doubt of his deliverance ; and so he left him . On quitting the prison the pilgrim hied him forthwith to the signory , and being closeted with a knight that was in charge , thus spoke : -- `` My lord , 't is the duty of all , and most especially of those who hold your place , zealously to bestir themselves that the truth be brought to light , in order as well that those bear not the penalty who have not committed the crime , as that the guilty be punished . And that this may come to pass to your honour and the undoing of the delinquent , I am come hither to you . You wot that you have dealt rigorously with Aldobrandino Palermini , and have found , as you think , that 't was he that slew Tedaldo Elisei , and you are about to condemn him ; wherein you are most certainly in error , as I doubt not before midnight to prove to you , delivering the murderers into your hands . '' The worthy knight , who was not without pity for Aldobrandino , readily gave ear to the pilgrim 's words . He conversed at large with him , and availing himself of his guidance , made an easy capture of the two brothers that kept the inn and their servant in their first sleep . He was about to put them the torture , to elicit the true state of the case , when , their courage failing , they confessed without the least reserve , severally at first , and then jointly , that 't was they that had slain Tedaldo Elisei , not knowing who he was .