midnight
He could not tell . He did not dare to speculate . The Countess closed her eyes and when she opened them again he was gone . At midnight , had there been anyone abroad in the garrison to observe them , a number of men , heavily cloaked , might have been seen drifting through the torrential rain that was falling , toward the quarters occupied by Major Lestoype . They were expected , evidently , for they were admitted without hesitation by the carefully selected old soldiers who kept the door . The usual servants had been dismissed to their quarters , and their places were taken by certain tried and trusted veterans of the regiment . In the quarters of Major Lestoype was a spacious and lofty hall .