One of the writers was commencing, in an emphatic voice, "Inhabitants of Plassans, the hour of independence has struck, the reign of justice has begun----" when a noise was heard at the door of the office, which was slowly pushed open.
"Is it you, Cassoute ?" Macquart asked, interrupting the perusal.
Nobody answered; but the door opened wider.
"Come in, do!" he continued, impatiently.

"Is my brigand of a brother at home ?" Then, all at once both leaves of the door were violently thrown back and slammed against the walls, and a crowd of armed men, in the midst of whom marched Rougon, with his face very red and his eyes starting out of their sockets, swarmed into the office, brandishing their guns like cudgels.
"Ah! the blackguards, they're armed!" shouted Macquart.
He was about to seize a pair of pistols which were lying on the writing-table, when five men caught hold of him by the throat and held him in check.

The four authors of the proclamation struggled for an instant.

There was a good deal of scuffling and stamping, and a noise of persons falling.

The combatants were greatly hampered by their guns, which they would not lay aside, although they could not use them.