An old friend of Mendel's from his days at University, Theimer was a keen scientist whose specialty was floristics, and, like Mendel, was interested in plant hybrids. He had already given a talk on the subject in 1862, and had followed Mendel's experiments with great interest.

He had also presided over the meetings of the Society when Mendel had given his talks. Subsequently he had encouraged Mendel to publish his paper on plant hybrids in the Proceedings of the Society. It was the galley proofs of this paper that Mendel was hurrying to see. Before going to press, each author had to check his work to see that no errors had been introduced during the typesetting process.

He lengthened his stride. He had spent too long with Herr Rosenstrauch.

A group of men standing loosely together at the corner of Janska and Masarykova watched the monk as he strode away into the gathering gloom.

"Not long now," one of the men said, to no one in particular. A companion just grunted. "Stihly, go to the Church and warn us when you can see them." A third man detached himself from the wall and lopped off along Janska "They are coming," he gasped excitedly as he ran back to his companions. He was young and this the first time his companions had included him in one of their incidents. "There are two carts, both of them full and covered by tarpaulins."

"And the soldiers, how many are there guarding the carts?" asked the first speaker.

"I saw only three," the young man answered, "one each leading the dray horses and a Korporal."

"Good," said the leader, "now you all know what to do, and remember what I said - do not hurt the soldiers, they are not our enemy, tie them up quickly but do not strike them unless they resist. Understand?" Everyone nodded. "Devet, you and I will use the hammers. Ten blows each should be more than enough. Then, when I call out, everyone scatters. Walk quickly, but don't run, and keep moving until you are out of sight." Once again each man acknowledged their leader's instructions and the group broke up.

Trying not to look too nervous, the one nicknamed Stihly, or 'Slim', moved to the opposite side of the street and glanced eastwards. Approaching were the two carts he had seen moments ago. Each cart was pulled by a team of six large dray horses led by a soldier. The carts themselves had been used recently on a farm, as the smell still testified, and still had the characteristic high lattice sides made of wood and wicker.

Piled inside the carts were an assortment of goods, but their exact contents were obscured by a large, gray military tarpaulin draped over the top and held down with hemp ropes. Walking beside the carts was a Korporal whose greatcoat had sea green facings and white buttons. More importantly, his rifle was held loosely in his right hand and he was not paying any attention to his surroundings.

As the carts came opposite the waiting men, the leader gave a short, loud whistle and the ambush began. Most of the men, including Stihly, seized the surprised soldiers and pushed them to the ground. Short lengths of rope were used to tie their arms behind their backs, and old flour sacks were pulled over their heads. No one wanted to be recognized later.

While the soldiers were being restrained, the leader and the one he had called Devet, attacked the wheels of the carts with large sledge hammers. Direct blows on the spokes of the wheels quickly brought results. The wheels splintered then shattered, bringing the body of the cart, and its contents crashing down onto the cobbles.

From inside his coat, the leader brought out some of the new phosphorous matches that had recently appeared in the Brno shops. He pulled the tarpaulin off one of the disabled carts, struck the safety match and set fire to the tar soaked hemp fibers his companion was pushing into collection of blankets, boxes and packages spilling out over the road.

Within seconds the hemp was alight and using the Korporal's rifle, the leader pushed the burning mass further into the piles of blankets. It would make a good blaze.

Dropping the rifle, he turned to see what his companions had accomplished. All three soldiers were inert on the cobbles, but the Korporal had recovered from his shock, and was starting to shout loudly.

the sabotage

"Scatter," the leader shouted, and the group of men instantly moved off in all four directions, some obeyed the leader and walked away from the burning carts at a rapid but not attention attracting pace, however Stihly could not help himself - he ran.