I knew that he would not
fail to keep his appointment, and I was perfectly confident of
being able to carry out the programme punctually; I had, however,
taken the precaution of obtaining a week's leave of absence, in
case any unforeseen accident should delay my return. Conscious of
having done all I could to guard against misunderstanding or
mishap, I got into the train in a tolerably peaceful frame of
mind. The box was in my inner pocket, the letter in a
portemonnaie. I could feel them both with my hand. I was not in
uniform, but I took my revolver. Although I had no reason to
anticipate any difficulties, I did not forget that what I carried
must be protected at all hazards and all costs.
The weary night journey wore itself away. Bauer came to me in the
morning, performed his small services, repacked my hand-bag,
procured me some coffee, and left me. It was then about eight
o'clock; we had arrived at a station of some importance and were
not to stop again till mid-day. I saw Bauer enter the
second-class compartment in which he was traveling, and settled
down in my own coupe. I think it was at this moment that the
thought of Rischenheim came again into my head, and I found
myself wondering why he clung to the hopeless idea of compassing
Rupert's return and what business had taken him from Strelsau.
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