noon
I have since sent every one of those persons on some errand , so that all who might happen to remember your coming here will suppose that you left during their absence . It was well that I brought you here ; had I merely told you to leave the palace , immediately , you would not have known exactly how matters stood , and you would have been arrested at your lodgings , or on your way to your place of duty . By this time , orders have gone to the city gates to prevent your leaving Paris . Before noon , not only the body-guard , the Provost of the palace , and the French and Scotch Guards will be on the lookout for you , but also the gendarmes of the Provost of Paris . That is why we must be careful , and why stealth must be used in conveying you out of Paris . '' `` They make a very important personage of me , '' I said , in a low tone . `` Hush !