about three in the morning
This was no more than common prudence on the old soldier 's part . The official network for catching law-breakers , especially plebeian ones , was very close in that age ; though the co-operation of the public was almost null , at all events upon the Continent . The innkeepers were everywhere under close surveillance as to their travellers , for whose acts they were even in some degree responsible , more so it would seem than for their sufferings . The friends were both glad when the sun set ; and delighted , when , after a long trudge under the stars -LRB- for the moon , if I remember right , did not rise till about three in the morning -RRB- they came to a large barn belonging to a house at some distance . A quantity of barley had been lately thrashed ; for the heap of straw on one side the thrashing-floor was almost as high as the unthrashed corn on the other . `` Here be two royal beds , '' said Denys ; `` which shall we lie on , the mow , or the straw ? '' `` The straw for me , '' said Gerard .