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In the daytime the popular current was running toward the Gare de l'Est.
Crowded against the gratings was a surging mass of humanity stretching its tentacles through the nearby streets.

The station that was acquiring the importance of a historic spot appeared like a narrow tunnel through which a great human river was trying to flow with many rippling encounters and much heavy pressure against its banks.

A large part of France in arms was coursing through this exit from Paris toward the battlefields at the frontier.
Desnoyers had been in the station only twice, when going and coming from Germany.

Others were now taking the same road.