One of his narrowest escapes happened in the little town of Klausenburg, a quiet place ordinarily, but now the centre of great military activity. He was walking through the town, as it was the best way of keeping to the direct route. Suddenly, from behind him, he heard a harsh voice cry in German, "Halte!"
Looking round, he saw that it was he himself who was being addressed. He halted; there was nothing else to do.
"Why did you not stop and salute me?" asked an offensive-looking young Austrian officer.
Korniloff clinked his heels together and saluted.
"I did not see you, Herr Hauptmann!"
"Ah! you are blind, then? Who are you, and where are you going?"
"Johann Bach," said the Russian, affecting simplicity, "and I am going home to my wife."
"You will come with me first, so that we can make a few inquiries about you."
Disaster stared the fugitive in the face. His first impulse was to run, but he resisted it. To obey, however, would mean his immediate discovery.
"I beg your pardon, gracious Herr Captain," he said, as humbly as he could, though inwardly cursing. "I beg you not to detain me now, when I am so anxious to get to my dear wife."