about three o’clock in the morning
The shutters of the front windows were seldom opened . Those in the rear were always closed , with the exception of the large back room , fourth story . The house was a good house -- not very old . `` _ Isidore Muset _ , _ gendarme _ , deposes that he was called to the house about three o'clock in the morning , and found some twenty or thirty persons at the gateway , endeavoring to gain admittance . Forced it open , at length , with a bayonet -- not with a crowbar . Had but little difficulty in getting it open , on account of its being a double or folding gate , and bolted neither at bottom not top . The shrieks were continued until the gate was forced -- and then suddenly ceased .