midnight
Do not fail me . '' Before more could be said the servants roughly bundled the old peasant woman aside , carried the shepherd boy to his lodgings , and there threw him on his bed . `` Remember , '' they said , `` that you remain within the walls of the town of the Seven Sisters after break of day at your peril . '' At midnight the shepherd boy arose and approached the mansion of the Keeper of the Key . He could see the two grim guards , one each side of the oaken door . Standing some way off he gave the shepherd 's call , making his voice sound like the hoot of an owl . In a little time he saw the guards move away from the door ; they went to a side entrance in the courtyard , and presently he could hear them laughing , as if some entertainment was being provided for them ; then measures were passed through the iron bars of the gate to them , and these they raised to their lips .