“Has any one been in this compartment during the night?” he shouted excitedly.
I understood perfectly what he said but I did not grasp his game, so I simply said, “What?” and as he repeated his question I gathered my wits.
“I do not speak Russian,” I said.
“Yes, you do,” he replied.
“No. Only a few words. I am an American!”
“An American!” he cried. “That is impossible!”
I saw the trap I was walking into. His next demand would be for my passport, so I shifted the matter like a flash.
“What is the matter?” I said. “Why do you wake me up in the middle of the night this way?”
“Has any one been in this compartment?” he asked.
“No, I think not,” I answered.