midnight
He gave his orders clearly and firmly , and the words came to Marguerite on the wings of the wind with strange distinctness , borne to her ears by the darkness itself , and the hush that lay over the wood . `` Take half a dozen men with you , sergeant , '' she heard him say , `` and join citizen Chauvelin at the chateau . You can stable your horses in the farm buildings close by , as he suggests and run to him on foot . You and your men should quickly get the best of a handful of midnight prowlers ; you are well armed and they only civilians . Tell citizen Chauvelin that I in the meanwhile will take care of our prisoners . The Englishman I shall put in irons and lock up inside the chapel , with five men under the command of your corporal to guard him , the other two I will drive myself straight to Crecy with what is left of the escort . You understand ? ''