four
o'clock
Then would he turn majestically , and say , with a hand raised , `` My friends , a moment 's silence , while I read you this magnificent tribute from one who is unfortunately not among us . '' He was so impressive with this that at last the crowd would remove hats at each reading , to the Colonel 's manifest approval . The doffed hat and the clutched _ Argus _ became the mark of his drink-bought serfs . By four o'clock the only hospitable doorways on the street were those of the three saloons . Our leading business men were departing from their establishments by back doors and the secrecy of gracious alleys . From Skeyhan 's to Hoffmuller 's , from Hoffmuller 's to the City Hotel , the crowd sang and shouted its irregular progress , the air being `` Auld Lang Syne . '' It was about this time that the Colonel unhappily caught a glimpse of myself through the window of the hotel .