“I am beginning to now,” I replied, as we hurried on.
As we reached the Place of St. John the noise of a great tumult reached us from the direction in which we had seen the strikers marching; the subdued roar of thousands of hoarse voices, followed first by some desultory shots and then by the rattle of musketry firing.
The people about us paused, and then began to run in the direction of the sound.
“It has begun,” said Burski. “The troops are stationed by the Government Buildings and the strikers have come in conflict with them.”
It was to the accompaniment of this ominous music of revolt that we approached the house. A small force of police were gathered before it, and I scanned the windows eagerly for some sign of Volna’s presence. I saw nothing.
There was a short delay before we were admitted. Burski drew aside two of the men and during the short discussion, curious looks were cast at me. In the end way was made for us and we were allowed to pass.
The moment we were inside Burski said: “We must wait here;” and another man who was in the passage placed himself by my side.
It looked very, very much as though I had walked into a trap and was once more under arrest.
I glanced at Burski. “What does this mean?”
For answer he shrugged his shoulders and threw up his hands as though he was as perplexed as I. “Simply the orders, that’s all.”