midnight
he asked . Winneburg crossed himself devoutly , a sudden pallor sweeping over his face . `` Indeed , your Majesty , I have seen strange things , and things for which there was no accounting ; but it has been usually after a contest with the wine flagon , and at the time my head was none of the clearest , so I could not venture to say whether they were ghosts or no . '' `` Imagine , then , that in one of the corridors of your castle at midnight you met a white-robed transparent figure , through whose form your sword passed scathlessly . What would you do , my Lord ? '' `` Indeed , your Majesty , I would take to my heels , and bestow myself elsewhere as speedily as possible . '' `` Most wisely spoken and you , who are no coward , who fear not to face willingly in combat anything natural , would , in certain circumstances , trust to swift flight for your protection .