five o’clock
Thus Rudolf won freedom from the man 's interference , but at a dangerous cost -- how dangerous he did not know . It was indeed most impossible that the king could be in Strelsau . He lost no time now in turning his steps towards his refuge . It was past five o'clock , day came quickly , and the streets began to be peopled by men and women on their way to open stalls or to buy in the market . Rudolf crossed the square at a rapid walk , for he was afraid of the soldiers who were gathering for early duty opposite to the barracks . Fortunately he passed by them unobserved , and gained the comparative seclusion of the street in which my house stands , without encountering any further difficulties . In truth , he was almost in safety ; but bad luck was now to have its turn .