five minutes past three
The candle standing on the ground , its flame shooting up , erect and slender , threw his huge shadow all over the subterranean vault . Amidst the dense blackness the light looked like some dismal stationary star . Guillaume drew near to it in order to see what time it was by his watch . It proved to be five minutes past three . So he had nearly another hour to wait . He was in no hurry , he wished to carry out his design punctually , at the precise moment he had selected ; and he therefore sat down on a block of stone , and remained there without moving , quiet and patient . The candle now cast its light upon his pale face , upon his towering brow crowned with white hair , upon the whole of his energetic countenance , which still looked handsome and young , thanks to his bright eyes and dark moustaches .