"While we were crossing the mountains I had felt rather chilly and
had been wearing a light racing-coat. But after the lamps were
lighted the compartment became very hot and stuffy, and I found the
coat uncomfortable. So I stood up, and after first slipping the strap
of the bag over my head, I placed the bag in the seat next me and
pulled off the racing-coat. I don't blame myself for being careless;
the bag was still within reach of my hand, and nothing would have
happened if at that exact moment the train had not stopped at Arles.
It was the combination of my removing the bag and our entering the
station at the same instant which gave the Princess Zichy the chance
she wanted to rob me.
"I needn't say that she was clever enough to take it. The train ran
into the station at full speed and came to a sudden stop. I had just
thrown my coat into the rack, and had reached out my hand for the
bag. In another instant I would have had the strap around my
shoulder. But at that moment the Princess threw open the door of the
compartment and beckoned wildly at the people on the platform.
'Natalie!' she called, 'Natalie! here I am. Come here! This way!' She
turned upon me in the greatest excitement.
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