midnight
A hackney-coachman came up , and began to talk . The Swedish count talked as like a hackney-coachman as he could . They took a pinch of snuff together , would rather not drink together , and the real hackney-coachman bade good-night , and went off without making any discovery . The clocks had struck midnight by this time ; but soon after the queen appeared . She had had to inquire her way , which was dangerous . Her companion and the king 's were to go with them ; so they jumped up , the Count was on the box in a moment ; and off they drove , -- six inside and three out . In a little while there was another panic .