"No. It's one on my own account this time. I shall be back in
twenty-four hours. Goodby!" And I left him there, blinking in the dim
light of the candle.
I rushed into the street and looked up and down it. Not a vehicle in
sight. I must run for it. The railway station was a long way off. A
fine snow pelted my face. I stopped at the first lamp and pulled out
my watch. It was twenty minutes to three. What if the time-tables had
been changed? A prayer rose to my lips; there was so much in the
balance. Down this street I ran, rounding this corner and that. I
knocked down a drunken student, who cursed me as he rolled into the
gutter. I never turned, but kept on. One of the mounted police saw me
rushing along. He shaded his eyes for a moment, then called to me to
stop. I swore under my breath.
"Where are you going at such a pace and at this time of morning?" he
demanded.
"To the station. I beg of you not to delay me. I am in a great hurry
to catch the 3:20 south-bound train. If you doubt me, come to the
station with me." An inspiration came to me. "Please see," I added
impressively, "that no one hinders me. I am on the King's business."
"His Majesty's business? Ach! since when has His Majesty chosen an
Englishman to dispatch his affairs? I will proceed with you to the
station."
And he kept his word. When he saw the gateman examine my ticket and
passports and smile pleasantly, he turned on his heel, convinced that
there was nothing dangerous about me. He climbed on his horse and
galloped away. He might have caused me no end of delay, and time meant
everything in a case like mine. Scarcely had I secured a compartment
in a first-class carriage than the wheels groaned and the train rolled
out of the station. My brow was damp; my hands trembled like an
excited woman's. Should I win? I had a broken cigar in my pocket. I
lit the preserved end at the top of the feeble carriage lamp. I had
the compartment alone. Sleep! Not I. Who could sleep when the car
wheels and the rattling windows kept saying, "The innkeeper knows! The
innkeeper knows!" Every stop was a heartache. Ah, those eight hours
were eight separate centuries to me. I looked careworn and haggard
enough the next morning when I stepped on the station platform. I
wanted nothing to eat; not even a cup of coffee to drink.