The faithful Jean called for me at half-past ten, and hurrying through the rain-wet streets to meet M. Max at the Hotel de Ville, we became suddenly aware that something extraordinary was happening. A sense of agitation was in the air. People were hurrying about, talking quickly and angrily. And then our eyes were confronted by the following startling notice, pasted on the walls, printed in German, French and Flemish, and flaming over Brussels in all directions:-- "_AVIS._ "Le Bourgmestre Max ayant fait default aux engagements encourus envers le Gouvernement Allemand je me suis vu force de le suspendre de ses fonctions. Monsieur Max se trouve en detention honourable dans une forteresse. "Le Gouverneur Allemande, "VON DER GOLTZ." Bruxelles, _26th Septembre_, 1914. Cries of grief and rage kept bursting from those broken-hearted Belgians. Not a man or woman in the city was there who did not worship the very ground Max walked on. The blow was sharp and terrible; it was utterly unexpected too. Crowds kept on gathering. Presently, with that never-ceasing accompaniment of distant cannon, the anger of the populace found vent in groans and hisses as a body of Uhlans made its appearance, conducting two Belgian prisoners towards the Town Hall. And then, all in a moment, Brussels was in an uproar. Prudence and fear were flung to the wind. Like mad creatures the seething crowds of men, women, and children went tearing along towards the Hotel de Ville, groaning and hooting at every German they saw, and shouting aloud the name of "Max," while to add to the indescribable tumult, hundreds of little boys ran shrieking at the tops of their voices, "_Voici le photographie ed Monsieur Max, dix centimes!_" The Civic Guard, composed now mostly of elderly enrolled Brussels civilians, dashed in and out among the infuriated mob, waving their sticks, and imploring the population to restrain itself, or the consequences might be fatal for one and all. Meanwhile the Aldermen were busy preparing a new _affiche_ which was soon being posted up in all directions. "_AVIS IMPORTANT._ "Pendant l'absence de M. Max le marche des affaires Communales et le Maintenance de l'ordre seront assurés par le College Echevinal. Dans l'interêt de la cité nous faisons un suprême appel au calme et sangfroid de nos concitoyens. Nous comptons sur le concours de tous pour assurer le maintien de la tranquilité publique. Bruxelles. "LE COLLEGE ECHEVINAL." Accompanied by Jean, I hurried on to the Hotel de Ville. "Voyez vous!" says Jean under his breath. "Voici les Allemands dans l'Hôtel de Ville! Quel chose n'est-ce-pas!" And I hear a sharp note in the poor fellow's voice that told of bitter emotion.