about eight o'clock
Taking the bit of paper , containing Morgan 's last message , from his pocket , he compared them ; it fitted exactly , and beside the paper lay a bit of pencil with which those last words had been written , and to Houston , with his keen perception and vivid imagination , the whole scene of the previous night with its minute and pathetic details , seemed passing before his vision . He turned to the watchman : `` Open the window , '' he said , and his voice sounded strange even to himself , `` draw back those curtains , this place is stifling . '' Upon inquiry , Houston found the watchman could give him very little information . In passing down the alley at about eight o'clock that morning , his attention had been arrested by screams issuing from the building . On rushing up-stairs , he saw a crowd gathering about the door of this room , and , on entering , was shocked at the sight revealed . Mollie , the girl who usually occupied the room , was screaming hysterically , but when able to talk explained that she had been out all night and had but just returned . Morgan was in the habit of coming to the room , and had a key , but he had not been there of late , having gambled every night till daylight .