midnight
`` I have slept on worse beds , '' said the Knight , stretching himself ; and in a few minutes he was fast asleep . The brothers listened to his deep-drawn , but regular breathing , with envy and wonder , but they were in no mood to converse . Still and speechless , they sate like statues beside the sleeper . Time passed on , and the first cold air of the hour that succeeds to midnight crept through the bars of their cell . The bolts crashed , the door opened , six men-at-arms entered , passed the brothers , and one of them touched Montreal . `` Ha ! '' said he , still sleeping , but turning round .