What he said I could not hear.

His voice was drowned in cries of "A bas Trochu!" Jules Simon then got on a chair, to try the effect of his eloquence; but in the midst of his gesticulations a body of armed men forced their way through the entrance, and with about 300 of the mob got inside the Hotel.

Just then three or four shots were fired.

The crowd outside scampered off, yelling "Aux armes!" and running over each other.

I thought it more prudent to remain where I was.