Every instrument of discord was still clanging over the city.

Then all these men of weight walked solemnly three times round the scaffold, and halted three times, while the Prefect went down on his knees, and did obeisance with nine kotows to the rickety frame and its disc of yellow paper.

There was almost immediate answer to his prayer.

With a sigh of relief we saw the lingering remnant of darkness disappear, and the midday sun shone full and bright.

Then the Prefect retired, his suite dividing to let him pass, and we all went home blessing the good man whose intercession had saved the town from darkness.