ISTANBUL TRIESTE CALAIS

I must say that the problems I had with my compartment were irritating but in the end everything turned out positive thanks to my friend M.Bouc. Thank God he had that high of a position there. I found myself in the compartment No.7 with an interesting young man - Hector MacQueen. As the Orient Express started its three-days journey through Europe, I could sense that something was going to happen but I couldn't say what was that and why I had such a bad feeling...

The following day I was a little late in entering the luncheon-car. I spent the morning going through the notes of the case that was calling me to London.
I sat with Bouc and started talking. And again I found some interesting figures to occupy my eyes and my mind.

There were three man sitting at the opposite table.
1. the big swarthy Italian
2. the neat Englishman
3. the big American in a loud suit (possibly a commercial traveller)


When my eyes passed on I spotted one of the ugliest woman I had ever seen. M.Bouc explained quickly that that was Princess Dragomiroff. A russian cosmopolitan, extremely rich.

Between those people I also saw Mary Debenham with two other women. The first was elder and extremely talkative . The second was a tall middle-aged woman in a blouse.

And where was Ms. Debenham there would also be Colonel Arbuthnot with his gaze fixed on her. But why weren't they sitting together? I couldn't answer that question, surely not then.

At the far end against the wall, there was a middle-aged woman in black. Scandinavian or German. Maybe a German lady's maid.

There was also a couple. A well built man and beautiful young lady, who M.Bouc introduced as representatives of Hungarian Embassy.

When nearly everyone left, I was greeted by Mr.Ratchett. Surprisingly he knew who I was. He asked for a protection, he claimed that someone is coming after him, meaning someone wanted to kill him. He wanted me to take care of his case. But my answer was no. He asked why. As honestly as I could I told him I didn't like his face and with that I walked out of the restaurant-car. Print it!