Yes,
the Spartacides held possession of the town and the red flag was
flying from the town hall. The regular authorities had been
disarmed and were held as hostages by the rioters. There had been
a good deal of looting of shops and robbery of the homes of the
well-to-do.
As to there being any American among the prisoners or hostages, he
did not know. He had heard some rumors to that effect, but he had
not inquired, for in these days it was well not to show too much
curiosity, and he was a quiet man and wanted to keep out of
trouble.
The lieutenant was not satisfied that he had told all he knew, and
pressed the man further. Under questioning, at first persuasive
and then threatening, the man remembered that there had been a
meeting of the Spartacides the night before in which the matter of
disposing of the prisoners had been discussed. Some had been in
favor of executing them out of hand. Others had objected. He did
not know what decision had been reached.
Under pressure, he admitted that several executions had already
taken place. Where? At the parade ground. Where was that? Not ten
minutes walk from where they were now standing.
Pages:
158
159
160
161
162
163
164
165
166
167
168
169
170
171
172
173
174
175
176
177
178
179
180
181
182