In such circumstances it was inevitable that much abuse should be showered on the police. But, as a body, the Metropolitan force remained loyal and zealous. The same must in justice be said of the City police, on whom depended the safety of the enormous wealth garnered in the vaults and strong-rooms of the City banks and warehouses. But the police at each end of the town now had to reckon with unprecedented problems. The Leaguers were far too numerous to be suppressed, even if a hesitating Government had given the mandate--which, it seemed, they dared not do. Moreover, it was found practically impossible to secure convictions or even to complete prosecutions. The magistrates and judges were prepared to do their duty, but witnesses were afraid to come forward, and jurymen who could not manage to get medical certificates to excuse their absence, nevertheless stayed away from the criminal courts, and submitted, as a choice of evils, to the payment of heavy fines. Throughout the long and blazing summer days, bands of Leaguers marched through the streets, ringing at doors or hoisting collecting boxes on long poles to the first-floor windows. Shops were invaded in like manner. At the hotels and clubs defence corps were organised, but so menacing was the aspect of the wearers of the metal disc that in most instances peace had to be bought rather than insisted on. Then suddenly the cry would be raised, “The Dancers are coming; the Dancers: the Dancers!” The sound of bagpipes, drums, or of accordions, blended with the hum of many voices and the rush of feet, and bands of girls and men swept into view, dishevelled, heated, but whirling with fantastic steps through street and square, dancing and dancing still, while some in the climax of delirium sank in exhaustion to the ground. The places of those who fell out of the Dancers’ ranks were constantly filled with new recruits. Many bystanders, who began by watching and wondering, felt themselves drawn into the repulsive vortex. Women, more especially, were thus allured. Girls came rushing from behind shop counters. The doors of private houses were suddenly thrown open, and in spite of the efforts to prevent them, unhappy women fought their way into the street to be absorbed in a moment in the ever-moving circles of the maddened Dancers. It was noticed that there were certain instruments and certain types of music which developed the tendency to join in and exaggerate these deplorable public exhibitions. Night was rendered hideous by the noise that filled the streets. Indeed, during the short hours of darkness, the quiet stars looked down on many a sight that well might make the angels weep. London was become in a more painful sense than ever a City of Dreadful Night. The Dancing Mania had got a strengthening grip upon its people. At one time it seemed only too likely that it would become an epidemic of appalling extent and characteristics throughout the kingdom.