midnight
`` I did n't notice them ; but I did see the three fellows who went on guard at two o'clock . They started for their stations , and I turned in , without thinking anything about Dorner and Murray . '' It further appeared that the two traitors had used some `` shuffling '' to obtain the east and south stations . It was evident now that the conspirators had executed their plan shortly after midnight , while their associates were on guard at the two posts where their operations could be seen or heard . The south station was on a point of land which commanded a full view of the cove where the boats lay . From the east station the lake in the direction of Parkville and Cannondale could be seen . From the north station , which was considerably farther west than either of the other posts , nothing could be seen on the south side of the island .