noon
And perhaps at the bottom of all political or religious fanaticism we should find an equally simple root of cause for the effect . The day at last came when Sergius Thord held his mighty ` mass meeting , ' convened in the Cathedral square , -- all ready for marching orders . No interference was offered either from soldiery or police ; and the people came pouring up from every quarter of the city in their thousands and tens of thousands . By noon , the tall lace-like spire of the Cathedral towered above a vast sea of human heads , which from a distance looked like swarming bees ; and as the bells struck the hour , Thord , mounting the steps of a monument erected to certain heroes who had long ago fallen in battle , was greeted with a roar of acclamation like the thunder of heaven 's own artillery . But even while the multitude still shouted and cheered , the sight of another figure , which quietly ascended to the same position , caused a sudden hush , -- a gradually deepening silence of amazement and awe , -- and then finally swift recognition . `` The King ! '' cried a voice .