Nell and Alisa were awakened by a knock at the door. "Mrs. Parker, Miss Blankstone. Szeged. This is where you are getting off. Szeged" said an authoritative voice from the corridor. Nell noticed that the train had stopped and glanced at her watch. It read 3:10. Again. "Haven't we been through this before?" she said.
Carefully opening the door, Alisa saw that the night conductor was also knocking on more doors. "Mr. Jarvis. Szeged, Szeged" he called. "Mr. Madasheck, Mr. Boom. Szeged. We are at Szeged".
Observing that she had all of her money back from the previous encounter, Alisa again told the conductor that there must be some mistake and she and her friends were traveling through to Athens. "I don't care what your papers say - here, take this." This time she gave him all of her cash ($2000) to let them continue on to Athens. He assured her that the baggage would be loaded back on the train immediately.
Dan'l and Niles walked to the end of the sleeper and opened the connecting door. Entering the next car, they knocked on Brother Paul's door. No answer. They tried to open the door but it was locked. They demanded that the conductor open it but he refused. They then knocked on Sister Sarah's door but got no response. They then went up and down the car, knocking on doors and shouting for people to wake up. The conductor told them to return to their car and stop making so much noise.
Nell walked over to the carriage door and looked out. Examining the platform, she again saw the man in a black overcoat, scarf, and homburg hat. "Ah, Nell. How many times must I extend this invitation?" The man walked away into the swirling fog.
As the train pulled out of the station, the group held a quick conference in the hallway. What had happened? Had this scene already occurred? Rupert speculated that this must be an attempt by cultists to obtain the book acquired in Vienna. Alisa was convinced that Brother Paul was behind it. The stress of this apparently repetitious event was beginning to take a toll on sanity. Niles and Dan'l looked especially haggard.
Despite their resolution to remain awake until morning, no one could
remain awake.
