midnight
The sentinel challenged him , but he had the pass-word , and explained that he desired to have speech with citizen Heron . With a surly gesture the guard pointed to the heavy bell-pull up against the gate , and de Batz pulled it with all his might . The long clang of the brazen bell echoed and re-echoed round the solid stone walls . Anon a tiny judas in the gate was cautiously pushed open , and a peremptory voice once again challenged the midnight intruder . De Batz , more peremptorily this time , asked for citizen Heron , with whom he had immediate and important business , and a glimmer of a piece of silver which he held up close to the judas secured him the necessary admittance . The massive gates slowly swung open on their creaking hinges , and as de Batz passed beneath the archway they closed again behind him . The concierge 's lodge was immediately on his left .