Book 4, Chapter 51-55 Summary

The governor is under pressure to have the police storm the Cathedral. He meets with the people, including Martin, in New York. Monsignor Downes reports that the Pope will personally appeal to the Fenians to release the hostages and not damage the Cathedral. He offers the Vatican as a meeting place for negotiations with the Fenians. Most of the others oppose this idea. Roberta Spiegel says they won't allow them to leave the city so any negotiations have to take place at the Cathedral. She says they should talk about when the attack will begin. The governor says they want a hard-line approach and believe it is a local matter.

Martin says that it is time to talk about a rescue operation. The mayor tells Monsignor Downes that he won't order an assault without the approval of a ranking...