noon
He began to wonder why he had accepted a responsibility which was now for the first time unveiled in such startling proportions . Yesterday the Consolidated was a name to conjure with . To-day it was an epitome of human fear and desperation . Ten seconds before the noon gong struck on the Exchange , a frantic broker lifted a bull like voice above the uproar . `` Sell five thousand consol at thirty-two , thirty-two ! '' He bellowed it out raucously . The selling order had been flashed from Toronto .