about nine o'clock
The storehouses were not in the great court , but in a smaller one off it . Beyond two soldiers at the gate and a sentry at the commandant 's door , no guards were kept in the courtyards , though a few sentries were placed upon the walls . Hector had his supper as usual , and Paolo brought in the news that eight of the waggons had not been unloaded in time to go out . A fatigue party of soldiers were now completing the work , which would be finished about nine o'clock . Taking off their boots a little after that hour they went quietly downstairs , then put them on again and boldly crossed the courtyard , for the night was so dark that there was no fear of their figures being perceived . As they entered the inner yard they again took off their boots and walked up to the carts . In two of these the carters were fast asleep .