Short of calling the man and shooting him for the old insult to me or forcing a fresh quarrel upon him, there was nothing I could do, and the utter futility of any such crude plan was too patent to do more than increase my impotent anger.
I was hurrying to Ladislas’ house when I remembered that I had had no food for some hours and had nowhere to sleep. So I went to the big hotel, the Vladimir, and had dinner and engaged a room, lest Ladislas should deem it imprudent for me to stay with him.
As I sat over my dinner brooding, it appeared to me that the only hope for Volna lay in the success of the popular movement; and after dinner I lingered some time in the streets, intensely interested in the progress of affairs.
The excitement and general unrest were certainly increasing fast, and the temper of the people was rising. The groups of strikers were growing larger. In some places crowds had gathered, and were openly cheering speakers who no longer took pains to lower their voices. In many places the agents of the Fraternity were busily distributing leaflets embodying the workers’ demands. There were many proofs of this growing confidence.
More than once the police and the people came into open conflict; and each time the police were worsted, to the great delight and manifest encouragement of the crowd. Then, as men moved from one spot to another, the idea of a procession was generated; bands were formed and united, and began to parade the streets. And in all places at all times men appeared ready primed to take the lead, all acting together as though the whole work had been carefully prepared and rehearsed.
A blind man could have seen that grave trouble was in the making, and I saw abundant proof that, although such leaders as my friend might counsel peaceful methods, the populace were in that ugly mood which would lead them to laugh at peaceful counsels and to rely on force and violence.
It was a night of such crisis for the city that I was surprised to find the authorities apparently heedless of the rapidly growing peril.
At Ladislas’ house, however, I had a glimpse of their plans. There were lights in some of the windows and everything was apparently as usual. A servant admitted me and when I asked for my friend, he ushered me into the library, saying his master would come to me directly.
Instead of Ladislas, however, a stranger came—a young man, well-dressed, courteous, and politely insinuating.
“The leaders of the Fraternity are now in conference and the Count cannot leave them for the moment. Will you join them or can I carry any message?”