By this time things bad almost reached an impasse, for
the authorities were unwilling to risk any lives in a rush, and there seemed to be no other means of dislodging the criminals. At about noon Mr. Churchill arrived upon the scene, and at his suggestion . a battery of artillery was sent for from St. John's Wood. The use of this extreme weapon was, however, rendered unnecessary by a sudden and unexplained outbreak of fire in the besieged house. As the flames increased it was expected that the men would make a dash from the door; and one of them seems indeed to have done so, but was driven back by the rifle-bullets. The Fire Brigade was held in readiness, and when, after the roof had fallen, it had become certain that there could be no one left alive within, the firemen advanced and extinguished the flames. Unfortunately some of them were injured in this work. An examination of the ruins revealed the remains of two bodies. One of these has been definitely identified as Fritz Svaars ; the other is believed not to be that of "Peter the Painter," who is therefore probably still at liberty. The inquest upon the murdered policemen, which was resumed on Thursday, threw little further light upon the mystery.
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