two o'clock
In former times , when engaged with Abbe Rose in charitable work in the Charonne district , he had learnt that the guillotine could be seen from the house where Mege , the Socialist deputy , resided at the corner of the Rue Merlin . He therefore offered himself as a guide . As the execution was to take place as soon as it should legally be daybreak , that is , about half-past four o'clock , the brothers did not go to bed but sat up in the workroom , feeling somewhat drowsy , and exchanging few words . Then as soon as two o'clock struck , they started off . The night was beautifully serene and clear . The full moon , shining like a silver lamp in the cloudless , far-stretching heavens , threw a calm , dreamy light over the vague immensity of Paris , which was like some spell-bound city of sleep , so overcome by fatigue that not a murmur arose from it . It was as if beneath the soft radiance which spread over its roofs , its panting labour and its cries of suffering were lulled to repose until the dawn .