Taurus Express

Finally, the problem was solved and I was free to do what I wanted to do. I must say I was exhausted but on the other hand that was my job and my love - puzzling out crimes, finding out who had done it. After that very important case in Palestine, I was in Aleppo (Syria) waiting to start my journey by the Taurus Express. I talked with Lieutenant Dubosc just seconds ago. My sleeping compartment was, well it was fine by me, not too luxurious. I thought about resting for a while, curled up in a corner and then let the sleep overtook me.


This is the photo of the Taurus Express, unfortunately not taken by me.

Ah, better. Time: half past nine. What do I need? Hot. Steamy. Black. Cafe. Mot juste.
I walked out and headed straight to the restaurant-car.

There was only one occupant whom I recognized as the young English lady the conductor was talking about.

   Miss Mary Debenham

Tall, slim and dark, I gave her more than 28 years of age. She was reminding me of a cosmopolitan, with the way she asked the attendant for more coffee. I could smell her knowledge and experience from where I was standing. I was trying not to seem obvious of my amusement, studying her with curiosity. I quickly made my judgment: it was as clear as sky that wherever she went, she could take care of herself with perfect ease. I must say she was beautiful, with the delicate skin, black waves of hair and her eyes - cool, impersonal and grey. Without doubt, I couldn't call her 'jolie femme' - she was a little too efficient to my taste.

My observation was interrupted by another person entering the restaurant. It was a man. He was tall, between 40 and 50, lean, with brown skin andslightly grizzled hair around the temples. That was the colonel from India.

 Colonel Arbuthnot

The man gave a little bow to the girl, said hello and sat on the chair opposite her. His eyes rested on me for a moment but knowing the English mind I knew he thought: 'Only some damned foreigner'. They were not too chatty but I could catch some information about them. Later on we walked out together and I noticed something: Colonel Arbuthnot was really susceptible and Miss Debenham's manner was slightly repressive. Just a minute later I became a witness to colonel's sudden outburst. It was an odd comedy I was watching, I must say.

Meanwhile, we arrived in Konya, they went to stretch their legs and I stayed inside but after 10 minutes I decided that a breath of fresh air wouldn't be such a bad thing after all, so I bundled up and descended gingerly on the platform... Print it!