nine
o'clock
So appalling was the sensation that the five conspirators breathed not nor spoke , but listened for the heartbeats that had stopped when fears finally gave way to complete conviction . They were as if recovering from the fright of seeing a ghost ; spirits seemed to have swept past them with cold wings , carrying off the prisoner they thought secure ; only supernatural forces could be charged with the penetration of their impregnable wall . The discovery of the prisoner 's flight was not made until Baker knocked on Lady Saxondale 's door and inquired for Miss Garrison at bedtime . Then it was recalled that she had left the others at nine o'clock , pleading a headache , but she did not go to her room . Investigation revealed the fact that her jewelry , a cape and a traveling hat were missing . Remembering her first attempt to escape and recalling the very apparent nervousness that marked her demeanor during the day , Lady Saxondale alarmed the house . Ten minutes later the conspirators and a knot of sleepy servants stood in the courtyard , staring at the great gate .