Daniel 6:19 (ESV)

19 Then, at break of day, the king arose and went in haste to the den of lions.

As the first light begins to dispel the darkness, Darius gets up. Daniel must be dead. All that might be left are some bones and bloodstains in the sand of the lions’ den. He goes to make sure what has happened. Very early in the morning he heads to the lions’ den.