In one of the side streets off Noviswiat Street, the great business thoroughfare, a crowd of strikers stood listening to a very excited speaker. I got into the middle of them and just when he was abusing the employers and cursing the police for taking their side against the workers, I pointed out the two sleuths to the men close to me and whispered that they were police spies. The news spread like burning oil on water; and when I slipped away, the two men were the centre of a fierce, threatening mob and far too much concerned for their own safety to care what became of me.
The incident had delayed me seriously, however, and a glance at my watch showed me it was already a quarter past eleven, the hour for my appointment with Volna.
I had at least a mile to go and after a sharp walk for a couple of hundred yards, I hailed a sleigh.
Then the unexpected happened. “The Church of St. Paul as fast as you can,” I called to the man as he pulled up; and I was stepping quickly into the vehicle when some one laid a hand on my shoulder.
I turned quickly; and to my infinite chagrin I found it was the agent, Burski, a little out of breath, but smiling and evidently on excellent terms with himself.
CHAPTER XXIV
BLACK MONDAY IN WARSAW
“I WAS almost afraid I shouldn’t catch you up,” said Burski.
“I thought you couldn’t get away?” I growled.
“Oh, I managed it all right. I thought it would be a pity for you to miss anything I could shew you on your last day in the city; and such a day; so I hurried after you. Nearly lost you in that crowd, though. Going to the Church of St. Paul, are you? That’ll make a capital starting point. Jump in.”
But it was not in my programme to take him to meet Volna. “No, I think as you’re with me, we shall see more if we walk,” I replied, and I tossed the driver a rouble and dismissed him.