midnight
The younger of the two brothers had already left the boat . He made his way through the town , and started at full speed to carry the news to Prince Maurice that the barge had arrived safely in the town , and the attempt would be made at midnight ; also of the fact they had learned from those on the wharf , that the governor had heard a rumour that a force had landed somewhere on the coast , and had gone off again to Gertruydenberg in all haste , believing that some design was on foot against that town . His son Paolo was again in command of the garrison . A little before midnight Captain Heraugiere told his comrades that the hour had arrived , and that only by the most desperate bravery could they hope to succeed , while death was the certain consequence of failure . The band were divided into two companies . He himself with one was to attack the main guard house ; the other , under Fervet , was to seize the arsenal of the fortress . Noiselessly they stole out from their hiding place , and formed upon the wharf within the inclosure of the castle .