midnight
Now , mind , I am not to be trifled with ! '' The eye of the fifer rested upon Albert with an expression almost amounting to disdain : `` Such gentlemen as you , '' he answered , `` certainly know little of the pain of banishment ; you never experienced the horror of being obliged to conceal yourself from the hand of the assassin , shivering in damp caves , living in inhospitable caverns , among the society of owls , deprived of a warm meal and a cheering glass ! But come with me , if you have an inclination , -- the day does not break yet , and you can not go to Lichtenstein by night , -- and I will lead you to the habitation of the banished knight . You will not ask me again why he visits the castle at midnight . '' The appearance of the stranger had excited Albert 's curiosity to such a degree , that he willingly accepted the offer of the fifer of Hardt , more particularly as he then would have the best opportunity of finding out the truth or falsehood of his assertions . His guide took the bridle of his horse , and led him down a narrow pathway in the wood . Albert followed , after he had taken a farewell look at the windows of Lichtenstein .