one o'clock in the morning
He was reading a telegram from New York saying that consternation over the news from Pennsylvania , Massachusetts , and Iowa prevailed in the hostile ranks ; they no longer claimed the election , they merely asserted that it was in doubt ; it was admitted that while Goodnight , Crayon , and their friends had taken many votes from Jimmy Grayson , he was making up the difference , and perhaps more , elsewhere . `` If Jimmy Grayson were to come so near and yet miss , it would be more than mortal flesh could bear , '' whispered Hobart . `` It would have to be borne , '' replied Harley . It was far past one o'clock in the morning . The room was hot and close . The floor was littered with envelopes and telegrams . The two lines of telegraph-boys had trodden two trails in the carpet , and Harley began to feel the long strain .