midnight
`` That is to say , he is a good comedian , '' said the king . `` He knew that you would drive past there , and placed himself expressly to call your attention to him . '' `` I beg pardon , sire ; Conrector Moritz could not have known that I would take this journey . You will recollect that the courier arrived at midnight with your majesty 's commands , and two hours later I was on the road , and have since travelled day and night . As I met the young man only five miles from this place , he must have set out many days before I thought of leaving Berlin . '' `` It is true , '' said the king , `` it was a false suspicion . You invited him into your carriage , did you not ? ''