four o'clock
In the inn a courier sent on ahead prepared everything for the minister 's reception . Nobody yet could even suspect his downfall . The whole borough , the officials , burgomasters , in gala uniforms , were awaiting , notwithstanding the intense cold , the man whom they thought to be almighty and before whom all trembled . The courier announced the arrival of his Excellency for four o'clock ; but as that day there was a heavy fall of snow , he did not arrive at the appointed hour . While all eyes were looking down the road in the direction of Prague , a cavalier wrapped in a mantle came from the direction of Dresden and stopped his tired horse before the inn . The owner of the inn called ` The Crown , ' Jonas Hender , a very resolute man , having perceived the stranger , who at any other time would have been very welcome , rushed to tell him that there was no room for him . ` Excuse me , sir -- we expect his Excellency the Count Sulkowski ; I have no room either for you or your horse ; but at the ` Palm Branch , ' an inn kept by my brother-in-law , the accommodation is not bad . '