two minutes past midnight
The small bell in the tower rang again , for it was connected by hidden clock-work with the secret passage-way . Formerly , when the castle had been held by the Hussites , this bell rung , by its secret clock-work , had given warning when any one was approaching from Madocsany . When the bell stopped ringing , the altar picture was again in darkness . It was two minutes past midnight ; outside the cock crowed . The maiden , as she went toward the church door , looked timidly before and behind to see if her sister Sophie were present ; outside a still greater terror waited . One bear lay across the threshold asleep . She needed only to summon all her courage and climb over him ; but the other was awake , grimly gnawing a bone that he could not crush in his teeth .