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The train had been full since it left town, and everyone was talking as they knew each other, and when the train passed by Tarascon, one of them said: Here you are committing repeated murders.
the thug:
Each made suppositions and gave his opinion, the women watched, shivering as the night fell behind the glass, and hid the sudden appearance of a man’s head through the door, and some began to tell terrifying stories of solitary encounters with lunatics on a speeding train, and of hours that passed before a suspicious person, each man was He knows a joke he cherishes, each one of them had terrorized his epileptic wretch and tied him up on unexpected occasions, with an unparalleled composure and boldness.
the doctor :
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Among the travelers, there was a doctor who passed every winter, passing through the south of France, who also gave his opinion and narrated a strange incident, and said: I have never had the opportunity to test my courage in an incident of this kind, but I knew a woman, one of my patients, who died, who was exposed to the strangest and most Accidents are ambiguous and poignant.
Patient’s story:
The first events of this story took place in Russia, for Countess Marie Baranov, and was a high-ranking lady, and one of the most beautiful women. Somewhat! They have something sinister and seductive, lofty and gentle, affectionate and stern, which attracts and fascinates the French.
Indeed, it may have been the difference in races and styles, which makes me see all these things in her, that many years ago her doctor saw that she was threatened by my chest disease, and he tried to persuade her to go to the south of France, but she stubbornly refused to leave Petersburg, at last, last fall, and she seemed She was inevitably mortal, so he warned her husband, who immediately ordered her to go to Manton.
the train :
She rode the train alone in a trailer, and her servants occupied another compartment, she was sitting in front of the door, prey to sadness as she saw the countryside and villages passing by her eyes, and she felt the isolation of those who had left this life, without children, and almost without family, with a husband whose love had died, so he threw her like this in Far away without accompanying her, like a sick servant sent to a hospital.
the night :
At every station her servant Evan would come and inquire if she needed anything, he was an old servant who was very devoted, ready to do whatever she gave her, the night fell and the train was going so fast, she couldn’t sleep and she was nervous, suddenly she thought to make the money, which she had taken from her husband at the last minute, with a French gold coin, she opened her little purse and poured upon her knees a stream of ringing yellow.
the stranger :
Suddenly she felt a cold stream of air slapping her face, she raised her head in astonishment, and if the door opened, she threw her shawl in a panic over her money that was scattered on her dress and waited, a few seconds passed, and then a man appeared bare-headed with a wounded hand, panting, while he was in his evening clothes, he closed the door and sat down and looked On his neighbor with shining eyes, then he wrapped his bleeding fist with a handkerchief.
fear :
The woman felt that she was about to die from fear, so surely, this man saw her preparing her gold, and he came to steal her and kill her. He was staring at her, panting, and his face convulsed, and without a doubt, he was ready to pounce on her. Suddenly he said: Ma’am!! do not be afraid.
She answered nothing, for she was unable to open her mouth, and she could hear her heartbeat and a twinkle in her ears. He continued: I am neither wretched nor ungodly, madam. She said not a word, but with a sudden movement, her knees came close, and pieces of gold ran down her carpet like water. in the pipes.
Help :
The man was surprised when he saw the metal barman, and suddenly he bent down to gather the gold pieces, but she rose trembling and threw all her riches on the ground and ran towards the door, throwing herself into the rail, but he understood what she was going to do so he jumped and grabbed her by the arms and made her sit by force.
And he held her in his fists and said, “Listen to me, madam, I am not a thief, and the proof is that I will take this money and return it to you, but I am a mortal man, a dead man. If you don’t help me cross the border, I can’t tell you more, in an hour we will be at the last Russian station, and within An hour and twenty minutes we’ll cross the frontiers of the empire, if you don’t help me I’m mortal, and yet, madam, I’ve neither killed nor stolen nor done anything dishonorable, I swear to you, and I can’t tell you more.
He got down on his knees and gleaned the gold that was scattered on the seats, looking for the last pieces that rolled here and there, and when their sack was filled again, he gave it back to his neighbor, without saying a word, and went back to sit in the other corner of the trailer.
Wait and calm:
Neither of them made a movement, and she remained still, silent and faint from terror, but she began to calm down gradually, but he was frozen in place, his eyes fixed, his face pale as death, from time to time she looked at him and then quickly turned away from him…
He was a man of about thirty years of age, with a beautiful face, and a noble appearance. The train was going through the darkness, slowing down sometimes and then going all the way. Suddenly it started slowing down and whistled intermittently, and then came to a complete stop.
The lady and the servant:
Then Evan appeared at the door, to take his lady’s orders, and in a trembling voice, she said to her servant, after looking at her one last time, at what the stranger understood: Evan, go back to the Count, for I don’t need you anymore, the man was astonished and muttered: But…
‘No,’ she resumed, ‘You won’t come with me. I’ve changed my mind. I want you to stay in Russia. Take some money to come back. Give me your hat and your coat. The servant took off his hat and handed over his coat to the countess, obedient and unobtrusive, for he was accustomed to his mistress’ sudden desires and the stubborn whims of his masters.’ He turned away. And tears in his eyes…
