four o'clock
But Frank had not only risen in his profession ; he had also risen intellectually . His mother had secured to him a pretty good education to begin with , and his own natural taste and studious habits had led him to read extensively . His business required him to sit up and watch when other men slept . He seldom went to bed before four o'clock any morning , and when he did take his rest he lay down like the soldier in an enemy 's country , ready to rush to arms at the first sound of the bugle . His bugle , by the way , was a speaking-trumpet , one end of which was close to the head of his bed , the other end being in the lobby where the men on duty for the night reposed . During these long watches in the silent lobby , with the two men belted and booted on their tressels , the clock ticking gently by his side , like the soft quiet voice of a chatty but not tiresome friend , Frank read book after book with absorbing interest . History , poetry , travel , romance -- all kinds were equally devoured .