half past five
A voice from the guardroom in the barbican answer 'd him through the darkness . `` Why is not the watch set ? '' `` In a minute , sir : it wants a minute to six . '' `` I thought the Colonel order 'd it at half past five ? '' In the silence that follow 'd , the barbican clock began to strike , and half a dozen troopers tumbled out from the guardroom , some laughing , some grumbling at the coldness of the night . The officer return 'd to the inner ward as they dispersed to their posts : and soon there was silence again , save for the _ tramp-tramp _ of a sentry crossing and recrossing the pavement below me . All this while I lay flatten 'd along the beam , scarce daring to breathe .