Far better than he knew, he sounded uncharted deeps in human nature.

Andrew Fletcher of Saltoun stated an eternal truth when he wrote to the Marquis of Montrose: "I know a very wise man that believed that if a man were permitted to make all the ballads he need not care who should make the laws of a nation." Before Devar had finished the first verse people from the street were crowding in through the open door, and flashing eyes and strange ejaculations showed that the Czechs thought they were witnessing a miracle.

As the second verse rang out, vibrant and challenging, the mob, eager to share in the interior excitement, rushed the entrance.
Many could hear, but few could see, and all were roused to exaltation by a melody the public singing of which would have brought imprisonment or death in their own land.
"Now for it!" roared Steingall, and over went table and crockery with a crash.

Of course, this added to the turmoil, and some women in the cafe began to shriek.

Not knowing in the least what was causing the commotion, the crowd surged into that particular corner, and Steingall, apparently frenzied, sprang to the window, opened it, and said to Count Vassilan: "Get out, quick! They'll be knifing you in a minute!" The Italian girl screamed at that, so she was lifted into the safety of the street.