She ceased talking, and,
when I spoke, answered me irritably, or at random. No doubt her mind
was entirely occupied with her plan. The end of our journey was
drawing rapidly nearer, and her time for action was being cut down
with the speed of the express-train. Even I, unsuspicious as I was,
noticed that something was very wrong with her. I really believe that
before we reached Marseilles if I had not, through my own stupidity,
given her the chance she wanted, she might have stuck a knife in me
and rolled me out on the rails. But as it was, I only thought that
the long journey had tired her. I suggested that it was a very trying
trip, and asked her if she would allow me to offer her some of my
cognac.
"She thanked me and said, 'No,' and then suddenly her eyes lighted,
and she exclaimed, 'Yes, thank you, if you will be so kind.'
"My flask was in the hand-bag, and I placed it on my lap and, with my
thumb, slipped back the catch. As I keep my tickets and railroad-
guide in the bag, I am so constantly opening it that I never bother
to lock it, and the fact that it is strapped to me has always been
sufficient protection. But I can appreciate now what a satisfaction,
and what a torment, too, it must have been to that woman when she saw
that the bag opened without a key.
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