But I made little of the matter, and, drowsy from a broken
night's rest, soon fell into a doze. I was alone in the carriage
and could sleep without fear or danger. I was awakened by our
noontide halt. Here I saw Bauer again. After taking a basin of
soup, I went to the telegraph bureau to send a message to my
wife; the receipt of it would not merely set her mind at case,
but would also ensure word of my safe progress reaching the
queen. As I entered the bureau I met Bauer coming out of it. He
seemed rather startled at our encounter, but told me readily
enough that he had been telegraphing for rooms at Wintenberg, a
very needless precaution, since there was no danger of the hotel
being full. In fact I was annoyed, as I especially wished to
avoid calling attention to my arrival. However, the mischief was
done, and to rebuke my servant might have aggravated it by
setting his wits at work to find out my motive for secrecy. So I
said nothing, but passed by him with a nod. When the whole
circumstances came to light, I had reason to suppose that besides
his message to the inn-keeper, Bauer sent one of a character and
to a quarter unsuspected by me.
We stopped once again before reaching Wintenberg.
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