nearly two o'clock in the morning
The paper had to be made over for the catastrophe which , momentarily , overshadowed the typhus epidemic in importance . In hasty consultation , it was decided that the `` special '' on the ownership of the infected tenements should be set aside for a day , to make space . Hal had to make his own statement , not alone for the `` Clarion , '' but for the other newspapers , whose representatives came seeking news and also -- what both surprised and touched him -- bearing messages of sympathy and congratulation , and offers of any help which they could extend from men to pressroom accommodations . Not until nearly two o'clock in the morning did Hal find time to draw breath over an early proof , which stated the casualties as seven killed outright , including Veltman who was literally torn to pieces , and twenty-two seriously wounded . From his reading Hal was called to the ` phone . Esmé 's voice came to him with a note of hope and happiness . `` Oh , Hal , they say there 's a chance !