ten o'clock
One of the franc tireurs now ran back , to tell the commandant that the men could advance ; while the other -- selected specially because he understood a little German -- put on the spiked helmet of the captured sentry , and began to walk up and down , in readiness to repeat the cry of `` All well , '' should it be passed round . The whole company were now moved up . Ten men were left at the point where the sentry was posted , to cover a retreat ; or to assist the sentry , in case of any party coming out to relieve guard , and so discovering the change which had taken place . The others , led by the commandant , proceeded forward until opposite the priest 's house , in which lights were still burning ; for it was not , as yet , ten o'clock . Major Tempe , accompanied only by two men -- and by Ralph Barclay , to interpret , if necessary -- now went cautiously up to the house . The light was in a room on the ground floor . To this Major Tempe advanced and , looking in , saw the priest sitting reading , alone .