midnight
`` Shall I light a fire , sir ? '' Pierre asked . `` It is not worth while , Pierre . It must be getting on for midnight now , and we must be in the saddle again , at daybreak . By this time they have , no doubt , found that I have escaped . The first time they send up a man to relieve you , the open door will be noticed . They will certainly make no search tonight , and tomorrow they will have something else to think about ; for doubtless some spy at Nerac will , as soon as the gates are open , take the news to the governor 's party that the queen has left . ''