noon
The cure , thinking that he must be half asleep and dreaming , paid no manner of regard to these commands . Thereon the voice , twice and thrice , spoke aloud , none save the cure being present , and said , `` Go forth and cut down the Scots man-at-arms who was hanged , for he yet lives . '' It often so chances that men in religion are more hard of heart to believe than laymen and the simple . The cure , therefore , having made all due search , and found none living who could have uttered that voice , went not forth himself , but at noon of Good Friday , his service being done , he sent his sexton , as one used not to fear the sight and company of dead men . The sexton set out , whistling for joy of the slaying of the Scot , but when he came back he was running as fast as he might , and scarce could speak for very fear . At the last they won from him that he had gone to the tree where the dead Scot was hanging , and first had heard a faint rustle of the boughs . Not affrighted , the sexton drew out a knife and slit one of Michael 's bare toes , for they had stripped him before they hanged him .