"Well, now, but they might have done that just as well without master or mandate." "Say, Markus," said Jan van Tijn, "if you happen to know of such a gentleman, just quietly set me down on the waiting list. My word for it, if he's boss, I'll not go on a strike." "Well, heaven help us! Are you an anarchist?" asked the other. "You throw the whole principle overboard." Jan just glanced at him. "I don't hear anything fall yet," said he, drily. And then, looking to right and left at his neighbors: "D'ye hear anything?" The company laughed. Markus, looking earnestly at him, said: "You can at once enter that service, Jan, as can every one." "What a silly gull!" said he in the brown suit. XIX On the way to the Assembly-room they passed the Royal Residence. The windows were a blaze of light, for another banquet had just been held, and the marriage was thus brought a step nearer. The lackeys looked down at the thronging multitude, and smiled disdainfully. In front of the palace, erect upon their horses, their carbines at their hips, sat the hussars. The people shouted. They wanted to see the bridal pair do some more bowing. And, verily, after a while, open flew the balcony doors, and out came the King and Queen--for all the world like the cuckoo of a clock at the stroke of the hour; and there they bowed and bowed--many times more than the hours that were struck by the clock. Thus the crowd had its will, and shouted to hearts' content. At the same time Johannes also felt, distinctly, a thrill of enthusiasm, although it was mingled with pity; for it did seem as if the crowd found delight in keeping those two poor people bowing, without asking if they had the least desire to do so, so soon after dinner, and after a busy day. * * * * * At the indignation meeting it was very warm and crowded. People stood packed at the entrance. Inside, above a haze of tobacco smoke, Dr. Felbeck could be seen sitting at a table covered with green. In front of him were a black hammer, a carafe, and glasses. The table stood on a little stage between side-scenes that represented a forest by moonlight. There was a great deal of bustle and noise in the hall. Above the clamor rose the cries of the colporteurs reiterating the virtues of their weeklies and pamphlets: "Buy the Pathfinder--three cents!" "Throne, Exchange and Altar; or the Robber Conspiracy Unmasked--one cent!" "Hypocrisy; or the Source of all Depravity--one cent!" "Who are the Murderers?--two cents!" Dr. Felbeck looked around the hall, casting piercing, frowning glances, like a general surveying the field of battle. At times he chatted with the associate chairman who sat beside him, apparently about this or that advocate or opponent whom he observed in the hall. At times, also, he nodded smilingly to some one in the audience. The doors were closed, and no one else was permitted to enter. A few helmeted policemen took their stand at the entrance.