Midnight
But this time it was not the convent clock which marked the time , it was the church at Péronnaz ; that is to say , the nearest village to the chapel where Sir John was watching . Everything happened up to midnight just as it had to Roland . Sir John heard only the vague rustling and passing noises of the night . Midnight sounded ; it was the moment he awaited with impatience , for it was then that something would happen , if anything was to happen . As the last stroke died away he thought he heard footsteps underground , and saw a light appear behind the iron gate leading to the mortuary vault . His whole attention was fixed on that spot . A monk emerged from the passage , his hood brought low over his eyes , and carrying a torch in his hand .