midnight
Sir John advanced to the middle of the choir , where he paused and remained standing beside the pedestal . The minutes slipped away . 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 .