seven o'clock
It was necessary that another officer should take Ugo 's place in command of the fort while he was in hospital . Pica came back again in a few moments . Then Ugo insisted on having writing-materials , and sat up , propped with cushions , while he wrote a short note to the Minister of War , explaining what had happened , and that he would not leave his home on the morrow till his brother had arrived , but that some further arrangement must be made if Giovanni was to lodge in the house , which would probably be wanted for the officer who was to take his own place . Pica was to be at the Minister 's own residence at seven o'clock with this note and was to wait for an answer . The Minister was known to be a very early riser and would have plenty of time to arrange matters as he thought best . Ugo was now in a good deal of pain , and it seemed very long before the panes of his window turned from black to grey as the dawn fore-lightened . He made Pica get him coffee , and soon after sunrise the orderly brought one of the men from the guard-house to remain within call in case the Captain needed anything .