eight o'clock
Have him removed , and have the highroad cleared of these rebels ; for I see my escort down the road . '' And touching the sorrel with his heel , his Majesty cantered back to meet the approaching cavalcade . Night had fallen . It was past eight o'clock , and Captain John and Captain Jemmy sat facing each other , one on each side of the empty fireplace , in Captain John 's library . They were in complete darkness -- for the red glow of tobacco in the pipe which Captain Jemmy puffed dejectedly could hardly be called a light . For half an hour no word had been spoken , when somebody tapped at the door . `` What is it ? ''