three o'clock in the morning
Convinced of the uselessness of his efforts to save her life , the _ maître _ had solicited one last favor of the tribunal . Freya was very desirous that he should accompany her at the moment of her execution , as this would maintain her serenity . Those in the government had promised their colleague in the forum , to send opportune notice that he might be present at the fulfillment of the sentence . It was at three o'clock in the morning and while he was in the deepest sleep that some messengers , sent by the prefecture of police , awakened him . The execution was to take place at daybreak : this was a decision reached at the last moment in order that the reporters might learn too late of the event . An automobile took him with the messengers to the prison of St. Lazare , across silent and shadowy Paris . Only a few hooded street lamps were cutting with their sickly light the darkness of the streets .