half past eight
Nathan and Brotherton agreed . They stood for a time -- a long time it seemed to them -- guarding the stairs . Then some one struck a match and looked at his watch . It was half past eight . It was too late for Grant to hold his meeting . But he felt strongly that the exit of Van Dorn had left the crowd without a leader and that the fight of the night was won . `` Well , '' said Grant , drawing a deep breath .