midday
On reaching the Hilliard quarries he confronted unexpected obstacles . The men had quitted work and scattered to their homes , and Kiska was to be discovered neither in nor around the little office . However , the Polish lad in temporary charge , Kiska 's own son , was not slow to recognize the original of the campaign lithograph which in his home enjoyed honors second only to a highly-colored Madonna , and went flying in search of his father . Shelby took instant advantage of his absence to telephone Bowers , whom he luckily located at his midday meal . He learned that the handbills had been sown broadcast with encouraging effect , and that the general opinion of the voting public leaned toward unbelief . Shelby told his whereabouts , and requested the prompt services of Jasper Hinchey and three or four kindred spirits , ringing off after certain mysterious , though concise , directions regarding a concert hall in the Flats , which he meant shortly to utilize . He had barely hung up the receiver when a telegraph messenger from town brought a despatch for Kiska .