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Updated: May 25, 2025
He was about fifty years of age, of true Muscovite type, beard and hair turning gray, face prepossessing. I knew Russian: he ought to know French. Perhaps he was the fellow traveler of whom I had dreamed. "You said he was a major, Mr. Ephrinell?" "Yes, a doctor in the Russian army, and they call him Major Noltitz."
"The major," said Popof, "has lived a long time in the Turkestan provinces, and he is going to Pekin to organize the staff of a hospital for our compatriots, with the permission of the Czar, of course." "I like this Major Noltitz," I said, "and I hope to make his acquaintance very soon." "He would be equally pleased to make yours," replied Popof. "And these two Chinese, do you know them?"
As usual, the town is double; one half, built by the Russians, is quite modern, with its verdant parks, its avenues of birches, its palaces, its cottages; the other is the old town, still rich in magnificent remains of its splendor, and requiring many weeks to be conscientiously studied. This time I shall not be alone. Major Noltitz is free; he will accompany me.
"Well, gentlemen," said I, "what we see is nothing to what our nephews will see. We are traveling to-day on the Grand Transasiatic. But what will it be when the Grand Transasiatic is in connection with the Grand Transafrican." "And how is Asia to be united by railway with Africa?" asked Major Noltitz. "Through Russia, Turkey, Italy, France and Spain.
But before telling me how this extraordinary work was accomplished, Major Noltitz reminded me of the facts which had gradually prepared the conquest of Turkestan and its definite incorporation with the Russian Empire. As far back as 1854 the Russians had imposed a treaty of alliance on the Khan of Khiva.
"Do you think Major Noltitz would consent?" "A Russian is too gallant to refuse. I will ask him, if you like." "Thank you in advance. As to the second witness, I am rather in a difficulty. This Englishman, Sir Francis Trevellyan " "A shake of the head is all you will get from him." "Baron Weissschnitzerdörfer?"
I first asked Major Noltitz, who willingly agreed to be Miss Bluett's witness. "These Yankees are astonishing," he said to me. "Precisely because they are astonished at nothing, major." I made a similar proposition to Pan-Chao. "Delighted, Monsieur Bombarnac," he replied. "I will be the witness of this adorable and adored Miss Bluett!
"The bastinado like that idiot Zizel in Si j'etais Roi?" asked the actor. "Precisely," replied Pan-Chao. "We must stop that abomination," said Major Noltitz. "We can try at the least," said Pan-Chao. "I propose we go before the court when I will try and defend the sweetheart of this charming Roumanian, and may I lose my face if I do not get him off." That was the best, the only thing to do.
As to the passengers, another two minutes of sleep would have settled their fate and mine. But all that disappeared with the vapors of the night. Dreams are not fixed photographs; they fade in the sun, and end by effacing themselves. In taking my stroll through the train as a good townsman takes his stroll through the town, I am joined by Major Noltitz.
It may be asked why these people are keeping such an obstinate lookout. "If my presentiments do not deceive me," said Major Noltitz, "there is some reason for it." What does he mean? But the bell of the tender, the tender bell, begins its joyous appeal. Nine o'clock; it is time to go into the dining car.
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