six o'clock exactly
The captain pulled out his watch and looked at it . `` Five minutes longer , '' he said . `` They can not get here before that time ! '' Then at six o'clock exactly he at last consented to lead his men out through a little door which opened into a lane . From there they threw themselves into a ditch ; they gained the forest of Sauval . Before taking his departure the captain bowed very politely to Pere Merlier and made his excuses , adding : `` Amuse them ! We will return ! ''