Again came the crying of voices, again the signals, and once more a car whirled past, followed almost immediately by another.

There was a jerk--a smooth movement.

Percy staggered and fell into a seat, as the carriage in which he was seated itself began to move backwards.
There was a clamour now in the next compartment, and Percy made his way there through the door, only to find half-a-dozen men with their heads thrust from the windows, who paid absolutely no attention to his inquiries.

So he stood there, aware that they knew no more than himself, waiting for an explanation from some one.

It was disgraceful, he told himself, that any misadventure should so disorganise the line.
Twice the car stopped; each time it moved on again after a hoot or two, and at last drew up at the platform whence it had started, although a hundred yards further out.
Ah! there was no doubt that something had happened! The instant he opened the door a great roar met his ears, and as he sprang on to the platform and looked up at the end of the station, he began to understand.
* * * * * From right to left of the huge interior, across the platforms, swelling every instant, surged an enormous swaying, roaring crowd.