midnight
Every thought of Diodoros cried , `` You must ! '' -- even at the cost of her young life , of which , indeed , she saw the imminent end nearer and nearer with every step . She knew not whither her flight might take her , but a voice within declared that it would be to an early grave . Only a narrow strip of sky was visible between the tall buildings , but , as she looked up to the heavens , she perceived that it was two hours past midnight . She hurried on , but presently checked her pace again . From the square , three trumpet-calls , one after another , rang through the silence of the night . What could these signals mean at so unwonted an hour ?