nine o'clock
Before seven o'clock that morning Dodge and Bayliss , wild-eyed and haggard looking , met at Bert 's home . Mr. Dodge took them , soon after , down onto Main Street with him . The first public whisper of the news sent it flying fast over Gridley . By nine o'clock Main Street was unwontedly crowded . Groups of men , women and young people everywhere discussed the `` awful news . '' Those who had been privileged to hear Dodge and Bayliss tell the story were looked upon as most interesting people . Of course a few Gridleyites tried to find the parents of the `` slain '' boys and express their sympathy , but the parents of the members of Dick & Co. , strangely enough , could not be found .