midnight
With a heavy heart I returned to my palace where I dwelt . At sundown I ate according to my custom , and dismissed those who waited upon me to the servants ' quarters . There were but two of them for my private life was simple . Then I slept till past midnight and rising , went into the courtyard where I found the eight Chanca captains disguised as litter-bearers and with them the litter . I led them to an empty guard-house and bade them stay there in silence . After this I returned to my chamber and waited . About two hours before the dawn Larico came , knocking on the side-door as we had planned .