eight o'clock
People stared at his medals , nudged one another , and would not take their eyes off him , looking curious but respectful . The turnpike-keeper sighed and buttoned his cloak again . Oh , if people only knew in what trouble he was ! It was just eight o'clock when he reached the garrison town . Of course that was somewhat early to be making such a visit as his ; but he had no time to lose , and he knew that an officer must always begin the day early . The porter at the station did not know where Captain von Wegstetten lived . But the turnpike-keeper had a piece of luck : outside the station he met a gunner , who readily told him the address -- `` 11 Markt Strasse , up two flights of stairs '' -- and showed him the way to go .