Later, matters began to grow still more serious. Masses of workingmen left their work, and began to parade the streets, crying out against the government that had usurped their rights. Soldiers were called out to guard the principal buildings, especially the house of Count Badeni, the unpopular Prime Minister. Squads of soldiers appeared in every street, forcing the crowds to move and disperse. It was an almost impossible task. The crowd that was driven around one corner would reappear at the next. The soldiers would disperse the mob in front of them, and it would re-form at their heels. It seemed as if Austria were on the verge of a revolution. Realizing that nothing could stop the trouble but the resignation of Count Badeni, several members of the Reichsrath hurried to his home, and begged him to put an end to the disturbance. The Minister would not yield. His sovereign had confidence in him, and he would not be driven out by an ignorant mob. Another meeting of the Reichsrath was held, at which more violent scenes occurred. Dr. Wolff presented himself in the chamber and tried to take his place, whereupon he was seized and taken to prison. The feeling among the people grew stronger, and at last one of the town officials, Burgomaster Luegers, waited on Count Badeni, and informed him that the people were now so excited that there would be bloodshed if he did not resign. Hearing this, the Prime Minister went to the Emperor and resigned his office. It is reported that the Emperor at first refused to accept the resignation, whereupon Badeni informed him that he would not undertake the responsibility of holding office longer, as he had been informed that the people were ready to rise. The Emperor then accepted the resignation, and it soon became evident that the action had only just been taken in time. Crowds had assembled outside the Reichsrath, waiting for it to open, and the attitude of the mob had become so threatening that the hussars had to draw their sabres and charge the crowd to keep it in check. Several people were killed and many wounded. This roused the mob to fury, and matters were just developing into a serious riot when Burgomaster Luegers appeared on the scene. Driving through the streets at full speed, forcing his horses through the crowds, he hurried from mob to mob, shouting the good news that Badeni had resigned. The anger of the crowd at once melted away. The people who had assembled with rage in their hearts soon became quiet. The night, which might have been one of bloodshed and murder, was turned into a fete, laughter and song succeeded the angry murmurs, and the danger was over. The next day it was announced that Baron Gautsch von Frankenthurn, a man who is a great favorite with the people, had been appointed Prime Minister in the place of Badeni.