midnight
This settled the matter , for the Governor , looking at them both for a moment , suddenly said , ` Gentlemen , you shall have your way , and I thank you for your confidence . -- If the ladies will pardon a sort of council of state here ! ' he added . The Governor called a servant , and ordered pen , ink , and paper ; and there before us all he wrote an order to Gabord , your jailer , to be delivered before midnight . `` He had begun to read it aloud to us , when the curtains of the entrance-door parted , and Monsieur Doltaire stepped inside . The Governor did not hear him , and monsieur stood for a moment listening . When the reading was finished , he gave a dry little laugh , and came down to the Governor , apologizing for his lateness , and bowing to the rest of us .