They selected
the compartment next to mine. Obviously they were traveling together,
equally obvious was it that there was plenty of room in their own
compartment. The train was hardly in motion, however, when the woman
of the party entered my compartment. She started to complain about
being annoyed by the man next door and to ask my protection. As a
matter of course, I got up and offered my assistance to remove her
belongings into my compartment. I had, up to now, not the slightest
doubt as to there being anything fishy in her request. I had, in
fact, no reason to be apprehensive of any interference, because only
two people besides myself--Wedel and the Emperor--knew my mission. Of
course, there were others who would have given anything to know of it,
who would have done anything to prevent my reaching my destination.
I had hardly entered the compartment and tried to remove the traveling
bag indicated by the lady as hers, when one of the men exclaimed:
"How dare you remove my wife's property?"
The lady in question stood in the corridor of the carriage. I had my
back to her but I could see her by means of the looking-glass with
which the sides of the compartment were framed. I noticed her make a
sign to the man. Of course, this put a different light on the affair.
It was preconceived. For the life of me, though, I could not see how
they could use the situation to advantage.
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