about four o'clock in the afternoon
Leaving the parchments on the table in the knights ' hall , where he had examined them , he mounted to the battlements to enjoy the fresh breeze that , no matter how warm the day , blows round the towers of Ehrenfels . Here a stone promenade , hung high above the Rhine , gave a wonderful view up and down the river and along the opposite shore . From this elevated , paved plateau he could see down the river the strongholds of Rheinstein and Falkenberg , and up the river almost as far as Mayence . He judged by the altitude of the sun that it was about four o'clock in the afternoon . The sight of Rheinstein should have suggested to him his deserted company , for that was the first castle he intended to attack , but the prospect opened up to him by the communication of the Archbishops had driven everything else from his mind . Presently the cautious custodian joined him in his eyrie , and Roland knew instinctively why he had come . The old man was wondering whether or not he would make difficulties about signing the parchments .