nearly four o'clock
said Hardenberg , surprised . `` Why have you not yet gone to bed ? '' `` Because I could not sleep while your excellency had not returned , '' said the young man , assisting the minister in alighting . `` It is nearly four o'clock ; the whole house was greatly alarmed . '' `` Well , and what were you afraid of , you dear fools ? '' asked Hardenberg , smilingly , while ascending the staircase . `` That your enemies had found means to kidnap you , and that the French had resorted to such an outrage to get rid of their most dangerous and powerful adversary . ''