six o'clock in the morning
It was possible that citizen Chauvelin would be still there , for he often took on the night shift , or else citizen Gourdon . It was Gourdon who greeted his subordinate , somewhat ill-humouredly , for he was indulging in a little sleep , with his toes turned to the fire , as the night was so damp and cold . But when he heard Tournefort 's story , he was all eagerness and zeal . `` It is , of course , too late to do anything now , '' he said finally , after he had mastered every detail of the man 's adventures in the Ruelle du Paradis ; `` but get together half a dozen men upon whom you can rely , and by six o'clock in the morning , or even five , we 'll be on our way to Gentilly . Citizen Chauvelin was only saying to-day that he strongly suspected the ci-devant Comtesse de Sucy of having left the bulk of her valuable jewellery at the chateau , and that she would make some effort to get possession of it . It would be rather fine , citizen Tournefort , '' he added with a chuckle , `` if you and I could steal a march on citizen Chauvelin over this affair , what ? He has been extraordinarily arrogant of late and marvellously in favour , not only with the Committee , but with citizen Robespierre himself . ''