an hour after midnight
Farewell , lad , I would that we were sailing North together , '' and he turned his back upon me and began to hum a tune . `` Farewell , Brennus , thou honest man , '' I answered , and was gone . And , as I heard long afterwards , when on the morrow the hue and cry was raised because the murderers could not find me , though they sought me everywhere to slay me , Brennus did me a service . For he swore that as he kept his watch alone an hour after midnight he saw me come and stand upon the parapet of the roof , that then I stretched out my robes and they became wings on which I floated up to Heaven , leaving him astonished . And all those about the Court lent ear to this history , believing in it , because of the great fame of my magic ; and they wondered much what the marvel might portend . The tale also travelled into Egypt , and did much to save my good name among those whom I had betrayed ; for the more ignorant among them believed that I acted not of my will , but of the will of the dread Gods , who of their own purpose wafted me into Heaven . And thus to this day the saying runs that `` _ When Harmachis comes again Egypt shall be free .