nine o'clock
Some prints of saints and the Virgin upon the wall troubled him ; their faces followed him wherever he turned ; he tore them down at length , and tossed them in the fire , but they blazed with so great flame that he cried out for fear . The town-bells struck the hours ; how far apart were the strokes ! They tolled rather than pealed , as if for an execution , and the lamps of some passing carriages made a journey as of torches upon the ceiling . After nine o'clock there was a heavy tread upon the stairs . It kept him company , and he was glad of its coming ; but it drew so close , at length , that he stood upright , with the cold sweat upon his forehead . The steps halted at his threshold ; the door swung open ; a corporal and a soldier stood without , and the former saluted formally : `` Monsieur the stranger , will remain in his chamber under guard . I grieve to say that he is an object of grave suspicion .