twelve o'clock
It no longer looked _ en fête _ , as on the previous evening . On every hand halt-consumed coals and strange smelling steams were being emitted from a hundred factories . The streets were empty save for heavy lorries and tramcars . Presently , at twelve o'clock , the mills would belch forth thousands of pale-faced operatives , who for long hours had been standing at the looms , but who , at present , were immured in those great noisome , prison-like buildings which form the main features of the town . Paul made several visits that morning , and presently found his way to the empty weaving shed of which Preston had spoken the previous evening . After some difficulty he had an interview with its owner . Preston had told him that Fletcher was anxious to let this shed .