About midnight
His intention was to travel amongst the old cities of Provence , and then make his way to the Pyrenees and into Spain . There was no definite plan of journey ; he wanted only some atmosphere which would help him to clear his mind for the work to come . In the Midi the early Spring would be breathing new life over the earth . About midnight the southern express stopped at some big station . The rhythmic sway and clatter of a moving train had given place to a comparative stillness that awoke John Rivière from sleep . He murmured `` Dijon , '' and composed himself to a fresh position for rest . Some hours later there was again a stoppage , and instinctively he murmured `` Lyon-Perrache . ''