ten o'clock
A white beam sweeping eastward would mean the election of Purplevein . A white beam sweeping westward would mean the triumph of Miss Absinthe . A steady red beam cast upward toward the zenith would indicate the victory of Bleak . At ten o'clock that night a scream of cheers burst from millions of people packed along the city streets . A clear , glowing shaft of red light leaped upward into the sky . Dunraven Bleak had been elected Perpetual Souse . Purplevein , who was rather a decent sort , hastened to Bleak 's hotel to offer his congratulations .