midnight
Although I had lost my papers , I could make a very good guess as to what their contents would be , and this I would say from my own lips to the Prince of Saxe-Felstein , as though the Emperor had commissioned me to convey it in that way . It was a bold stroke and a dangerous one , but if I went too far I could afterwards be disavowed . It was that or nothing , and when all Germany hung on the balance the game should not be lost if the nerve of one man could save it . It was midnight when I rode into Hof , but every window was blazing , which was enough it itself , in that sleepy country , to tell the ferment of excitement in which the people were . There was hooting and jeering as I rode through the crowded streets , and once a stone sang past my head , but I kept upon my way , neither slowing nor quickening my pace , until I came to the palace . It was lit from base to battlement , and the dark shadows , coming and going against the yellow glare , spoke of the turmoil within . For my part , I handed my mare to a groom at the gate , and striding in I demanded , in such a voice as an ambassador should have , to see the Prince instantly , upon business which would brook no delay .