midnight
He smiled pleasantly as he saw the blank expression in my face . `` Certainly , and you shall hear how it is to be done . The place is not far from here in the valley below . The band are already nearing the spot , and at midnight we will go down and meet them . The meeting will be , of course , like all formal rendezvous for the delivery of prisoners . The captain of the band will come forward accompanied by his charge , and perhaps by a sowar . We three will stand together , side by side , and await their coming .