twenty-five minutes after nine
His pocket was full of wheat , taken from a bag on one of the sample tables . Opening the window , he scattered the grain upon the sill , and stood for a long moment absorbed and interested in the dazzling flutter of the wings of innumerable pigeons who came to settle upon the ledge , pecking the grain with little , nervous , fastidious taps of their yellow beaks . Landry cast a glance at the clock beneath the dial on the wall behind him . It was twenty-five minutes after nine . He stood in his accustomed place on the north side of the Wheat Pit , upon the topmost stair . The Pit was full . Below him and on either side of him were the brokers , scalpers , and traders -- Hirsch , Semple , Kelly , Winston , and Rusbridge .