Two o'clock had just struck; nearly three hours had been spent in fruitless search.

Roland, rehabilitated in the estimation of the gendarmes and the dragoons, who saw that the ex-novice did not shirk danger, regretfully gave the signal for retreat by opening the door of the chapel which looked toward the forest.
This time Roland merely closed the door behind him, there being no longer any hope of encountering the brigands.

Then the little troop returned to Bourg at a quick step.

The captain of gendarmerie, with his eighteen men and Roland, re-entered the barracks, while the colonel and his twelve men continued on their way toward the town.
It was the sentinel's call, as he challenged the captain and his party, which had attracted the attention of Morgan and Valensolle; and it was the noise of their return to the barracks which interrupted the supper, and caused Morgan to cry out at this unforeseen circumstance: "Attention!" In fact, in the present situation of these young men, every circumstance merited attention.

So the meal was interrupted.