Meaning of the idiom: 'a smoke-watch'?

[Torsten]

Hi, could you please tell something about the origin of the expression a smoke watch. I've come across it in the following sentence:

"....The conclave of 1831 had lasted fifty-four days. Not tonight, he told himself; rumor was this conclave would be a 'smoke-watch'."

Thanks in advance,
Torsten
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Test Of English for International Communication
TOEIC Preparation & TOEIC Vocabulary

[Jamie (K)]

Not only can't I explain its origin, I can't even find out anywhere what it means!

[Conchita]

[Yankee]

I agree with Conchita. The (s)election of a new Pope would seem to be the only logical explanation. Just think of all those reporters and other people who were anxiously hanging around the Vatican --- "on the look-out" for the smoke --- just before Mr. Ratzinger became Pope.

Amy
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Amy
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ESL teacher, translator, and a native speaker of American English

[Torsten]

Maybe this is a bit far-fetched, but now that Conchita mentioned the papal election it occurred to me that the word papal is very similar to the brandname PayPal. Could there possibly a connection or is this just a coincidence?

Regards,
Torsten
_________________
Test Of English for International Communication
TOEIC Preparation & TOEIC Vocabulary