above the bar , a soot-covered sign read : every man has his fancy ratting sports in reality and if people should be uncertain as to the meaning of that sign , their doubts ended at nine o'clock , when captain jimmy gave the order to `` light up the pit '' and the entire assembled company began to file toward the upstairs room , each man carrying his dog , and each man dropping a shilling into the hand of a waiting assistant before ascending the stairs .