noon
`` A raid ! A raid on the Vesper Club ! '' shouted a belated passer-by . The crowd swarmed around from Broadway , as if it were noon instead of midnight . Banging and ripping and tearing , the outer door was slowly forced . As it crashed in , the quick gongs of several police patrols sounded . The reserves had been called out at the proper moment , too late for them to `` tip off '' the club that there was going to be a raid , as frequently occurs .