six in the evening
Carpenter listened quietly , comprehending both the peril and the necessity ; then after a moment 's hesitation he rose to his full height , and with an impressive gesture and a terrible oath said , `` I will go , and I 'll win that fight , or Daniel Carpenter will never come back a live man . '' He instantly summoned his insignificant force , and the order , `` Fall in , men , '' resounded through the street . Merwyn , with a policeman 's coat buttoned over his blouse , avowed his purpose of going with them ; and his exploit of the afternoon , witnessed and bruited by members of the force , made his presence welcome . It was now between five and six in the evening . The air was hot and sultry , and in the west lowered heavy clouds , from which the thunder muttered . Emblematic they seemed to such as heeded them in the intense excitement . Few in the great city at that hour were so deeply stirred as Merwyn .