ten o'clock
With them were many of the `` Progressive Workers , '' eager for news . The Union Club , the hotels and Burke 's headquarters were crowded , while John Allingham and his trusted lieutenants were gathered at the Municipal League rooms . Returns came in slowly and the crowds on the street clamored for news faster than the bulletins could be given out . At ten o'clock John Allingham was obliged to retreat and go home , physically worn out . The accident of the previous evening , combined with the excitement of the day , had proved too much for him . He was already in bed when the final returns reached him by telephone . Then he shut and locked his door , refusing to speak to another soul that night , -- not even to his mother when she came up to see if he had taken the doctor 's medicine .