about four in the afternoon
As the time wore on , however , and the reality of his position began to press more consciously upon his senses , the warders heard him sigh deeply , and move restlessly , and once he gave a cry like that of a wounded animal , exclaiming : -- `` For Thy sake , Lord Christ ! For Thy sake I strove -- for Thy sake , and in Thy service ! Thou wilt not leave me here to perish ! '' He had been brought to the prison immediately after his murderous attack , and the time had then been about four in the afternoon . It was now night ; and all over the city the joy-bells were clashing out music from the Cathedral towers , to express the popular thanksgiving for the miraculous escape and safety of the King . The echo of the chimes which had been ringing ever since sunset , was caught by the sea and thrown back again upon the air , so that it partially drowned the melancholy clang of the prison bell , which in its turn , tolled forth the dreary passing of the time for those to whom liberty had become the merest shadow of a dream . As it struck nine , a priest presented himself to the Superintendent of the prison , bearing a ` permit ' from General Bernhoff , Head of the Police , to visit and ` confess ' the prisoner .