midnight
de Maufant had instructed him to use in such cases , he went his way without disturbing any of the inmates of the house . His intention was to pass the rest of the night in the barn of a farm called La Rosière , where he would be safe from pursuit for the moment , and in the morning could join a party of the `` well-affected , '' who were in the habit of meeting in the neighbouring parish of S. Lawrence . Man proposes ; but his purpose was destined to failure . The sky had cleared in the sudden way so common at midnight in these islands . The guard at Lesbirel 's , turning out to patrol , had at last caught sight of the fire burning on the point above them . Taking alarm , the sergeant , who was an intelligent and aspiring soldier , guessed that something was amiss , and set off at the head of his men to search for the escaped prey . Taking the road to the manor , where he had reason to believe Lempriere 's messenger would be found , and spreading his men among the shadows of the bordering walls and hedges , he came upon the fugitive in a lane .