nearly midnight
Giovanni had not come home when the gendarme appeared . '' `` Then we must continue the search as best we can , '' said San Giacinto . Thereupon they both got into the prince 's cab and drove away . It was nearly midnight when a small detachment of Zouaves crossed the bridge of Sant ' Angelo . There had been some sharp fighting at the Porta San Paolo , at the other extremity of Rome , and the men were weary . But rest was not to be expected that night , and the tired soldiers were led back to do sentry duty in the neighbourhood of their quarters . The officer halted the little body in the broad space beyond .