half past one
The Sheriff waited uneasily ; he coughed a little and waited for a gap -- but there was no gap ; Jim bared his heart to God that day . He prayed as he never did before and all his bodily strength went into his prayer . At a quarter past one , when he was still calling on the God of Life for help , the Sheriff knew not what to do , for by the unwritten law the man of God had a right to finish his prayer . At half past one , the Sheriff moved uneasily and at length uttered a faint `` Amen , '' as though to give the signal to stop . As it had no effect he realized for the first time just what Hartigan 's desperation and iron will were leading him to do , he took cover under the technicality and played the game with him . Shay would have a chance as long as the Preacher 's voice lasted . The party all stood , hats off , except those around the condemned one .