About four o'clock in the morning
When he was ready , Coventry opened his door very carefully , and placed a light so as to be of some use to the fugitive . Cole descended the stairs like a cat , and soon found the heavy bolts and drew them ; then slipped out into the night , and away , with fleet foot and wondering heart , to Hillsborough . Coventry put out his light and slipped into bed . About four o'clock in the morning the whole house was alarmed with loud cries , followed by two pistol-shots : and all those who ran out of their bedrooms at all promptly , found Coventry in his nightgown and trowsers , with a smoking pistol in his hand , which he said he had discharged at a robber . The account he gave was , that he had been suddenly awakened by hearing his door shut , and found his window open ; had slipped on his trowsers , got to his pistols , and run out just in time to see a man opening the great front door : had fired twice at him , and thought he must have hit him the second time . On examining the window the rope was found dangling . Instantly there was a rush to the strong-room .