midnight
They knew already the rumors of the streets , and were helpless before them . They had done what they could . But the boy was gone , and the city rising . Already the garrison of the fortress had been ordered to the Palace , but it could not arrive before midnight . Friese had questioned the wisdom of it , at that , and was for flight as soon as the King died . Bayerl , on the other hand , urged a stand , in the hope that the Crown Prince would be found . Their voices , lowered at first , rose acrimoniously ; almost they penetrated to the silent room beyond .