Suddenly darkness and silence reigned, and the whole town, like some great angry animal, sullen and morose, prepared for the enemy attack.

Nowhere was there light or sound.

The town, with a wonderful starry firmament overhead, waited in expectation.

Fifteen, twenty minutes went by, when suddenly a shot was fired and, as though it were a signal, firing broke out in every direction.

The anti-aircraft guns fired incessantly, and the police, too, did their best, firing in the air.