nine o'clock
Without any preconceived arrangement , all the inhabitants decorated their windows with banners and lights , and the streets assumed the festal appearance of rejoicings over a victory . The crowd looked upon this spectacle not as an undecided beginning , but a glorious conclusion . There was no fear in any face , no question as to the future in any eye , but the certainty of triumph in all ; as if they had seen the last page turned in the book of fate , with victory and its glorious results written thereon . Toward nine o'clock a thunderbolt broke over the Brandenburger Thor , and rolled like the breaking of a wave to the other end of the street . The king had left the Potsdam railway station a quarter of an hour ago , and the crowd greeted him with a tremendous shout as his carriage appeared . The people wished by this acclamation , springing from the depths of their hearts , to show their ruler that they were prepared to follow him even to death . But the king was so much absorbed in thought that he scarcely seemed to hear or notice the enthusiasm of the crowd .