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Popof's little cabin is on the platform of the first car, in the left-hand corner. At night it will be easy for me to visit the van, for it is only shut in by the doors at the ends of the passage arranged between the packages. If this van is reserved for luggage registered through to China, the luggage for the Turkestan stations ought to be in the van at the rear.
Remember that the engine and tender are followed by the van at the angle of which is placed the mysterious case, and that Popof's compartment is in the left-hand corner of the platform of the first car. Inside this car I notice a few Sarthes of tall figure and haughty face, draped in their long robes of bright colors, from beneath which appear the braided leather boots.
The door is only fastened with a bar which is hung between two staples. I open it and shut it behind me. I do this without noise, for if I do not want to attract Popof's attention, I do not want as yet to attract the attention of the man in the packing case. Although the darkness is deep in the van, although there is no side window, I know my position.
The idea occurs to me to walk to the rear of the train, and I stop for an instant on the gangway in front of the treasure van. The passengers, with the exception of the Chinese guard, are all sleeping their last sleep their last, be it understood, on the Grand Transasiatic. Returning to the front of the train, I approach Popof's box, and find him sound asleep.
It would be better for me to relieve his anxiety this very night. That is impossible, for the train will soon stop at Gheok Tepe, and then at Askhabad which it will leave in the first hour of daylight. I can no longer trust to Popof's going to sleep. I am absorbed in these reflections, when the locomotive stops in Gheok Tepe station at one o'clock in the morning.
In fact, the actor had gone into the luggage van how I trembled for Kinko! and there, with Popof's assistance, had got out of one of his boxes a somewhat free-and-easy costume, but one certain of success at a wedding: A primrose coat with metal buttons, and a buttonhole, a sham diamond pin in the cravat, poppy-colored breeches, copper buckles, flowered waistcoat, clouded stockings, thread gloves, black pumps, and white beaver hat.
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