nine o'clock
The first thing for you to do when you get this pass will be to make yourself master of the plan of the town and the fortifications , and see if there is any place where you think an escape is possible . But even when you find one , and you think that it might be managed , you must afterwards find a place where I can be hidden for a time , at any rate for a few hours . You see , were I to go out in disguise I must do so in broad daylight , for my supper is served almost directly after the gates are closed ; and were I missing there would be a search for me at once , the sentries on the wall would all be warned , and it would be impossible to get past them . If I could get out two or three hours before the gates are closed at nine o'clock I might , as soon as it became dark , attempt to get over the walls before the alarm was given , or I might possibly go out in the same disguise that I left here in , through the city gate and across the bridge . '' `` I see that , sir , and it seems to me that this would be easier than trying to find a hiding place for you in the town . However , I will set my wits to work . I have been able to think of nothing in here ; but one 's eyes always help one 's wits , and if I were in the town I might see something that would give me an idea how the matter might be set about . ''