midnight
It would therefore be more honourable to make an effort to regain power without awaiting their return , so as to be able to receive them as brothers , with the gates wide open , and the streets and squares adorned with flags . Moreover , none of those present distrusted Macquart . His hatred of the Rougons , the personal vengeance of which he spoke , could be taken as guaranteeing his loyalty . It was arranged that each of them who was a sportsman and had a gun at home should fetch it , and that the band should assemble at midnight in the neighbourhood of the town-hall . A question of detail very nearly put an end to their plans -- they had no bullets ; however , they decided to load their weapons with small shot : and even that seemed unnecessary , as they were told that they would meet with no resistance . Once more Plassans beheld a band of armed men filing along close to the houses , in the quiet moonlight . When the band was assembled in front of the town-hall , Macquart , while keeping a sharp look-out , boldly advanced to the building .