Six o'clock
Heavy guards were stationed on the banquette behind the parapet to protect the approaches , and at last the gate was closed . The Prussians were within a hundred yards of the sally-port ; they could be seen moving on the Balan road , tranquilly establishing themselves in the houses and gardens . Maurice and Jean , pushing Henriette before them to protect her from the jostling of the throng , were among the last to enter Sedan . Six o'clock was striking . The artillery fire had ceased nearly an hour ago . Soon the distant musketry fire , too , was silenced . Then , to the deafening uproar , to the vengeful thunder that had been roaring since morning , there succeeded a stillness as of death .