the hour
of ten
And at ten of the clock , if I come not again to warn thee , cross fearlessly the great moat , and do as I have bid thee . But if thou hearest from the Castle wall the hooting of an owl thrice repeated like this '' -- and the girl put her hands to her mouth , and gave forth so exact an mutation of an owl 's note that Gaston started to hear it -- `` thrice times thrice , so that there can be no mistake , then tarry here on this side ; stir not till I come again . It will be a danger signal to tell that all is not well . But if at the hour of ten thou hast heard naught , then go forward , and fear not . Thy brother will be alone , and all men far away from the Tower . Take him , and go forth ; and the Blessed Saints bless and protect you all . '' She stretched forth her hand and placed it in his .