To scale the wall I knew was impossible.

To steal through the governor's office would mean instant detection.

But to wait where I was was my only chance.
I had studied the ways of the place enough to know that on the stroke of six the outer gates swung open to admit the carts which were to carry to the scaffold the victims of the day.

I knew, too, since the horse- master I had served had often supplied carts on an emergency, that these vehicles were usually sent in charge of common carters, one man often being in charge of two or three.

These men, having deposited their carts in the yard, were wont to go off to breakfast and return in an hour to convey their freight under an escort of Guards to the place of execution.
Their daily arrival was now so common an occurrence that it attracted little attention inside or out.