eleven o'clock
The council now settled that it should take place on the following day at eleven o'clock , just when the working classes would have finished their morning meal . The secret council , however , determined that no words should be whispered outside their own body until two hours before the time , in order that it should not be known to Hanno and his friends until too late to gather their adherents to oppose it . Private messengers were , however , sent out late to all the members to assemble early at the club . At nine o'clock next morning the Syssite was crowded , the doors were closed , and the determination of the council was announced to the members , each of whom was ordered to hurry off to set the train in motion for a popular outbreak for eleven o'clock . It was not until an hour later that the news that the Barcine party intended to forestall them reached Hanno 's headquarters . Then the most vigourous efforts were made to get together their forces , but it was too late . At eleven o'clock crowds of men from all the working portions of the town were seen making their way towards the forum , shouting as they went , `` Hannibal for general ! ''