Writer 1879: Solitary Journey in France

Chapter 614 I want to check the cards!

With three long whistles, the Orient Express slowly came to a stop at the Jiuerjiu Station.

The platform was already packed with people—local officials, welcoming teams in traditional costumes, curious citizens, and groups of porters waiting for their turn.

The train doors opened one after another, and the first-class passengers filed out, while the band on the platform began to play a welcome tune.

Young girls dressed in gorgeous traditional costumes stepped forward one by one and, according to custom, offered bread and salt to each guest who disembarked.

Romanian officials greeted them: "Your Excellency Fressine! Mr. Rothschild! Mr. Nagelmarx! Welcome to Giurgiu!"

He warmly shook hands with the passengers one by one: "I am Mayor Constantine Enescu. We will escort you to the hotel for your meal."

Charles de Frésiné, on behalf of everyone, thanked the mayor.

The welcoming ceremony was brief yet solemn. The band played the French national anthem, "La Marseillaise," and the Romanian song, "Wake Up, Romanians!"

Local officials then delivered enthusiastic speeches, which revolved around friendship, progress, and the prosperity brought about by the railway.

Sophie said softly, "They are trying very hard to make a good impression on the European guests."

Leonard nodded: "Because they need investment. Railways, ports, mines... Romania has just gained independence and is short of money everywhere. The train is full of people they need."

After the ceremony, guests were led to a procession of carriages outside the station, which would take them to the Crown Hotel for a meal before heading to the ferry terminal.

The carriage traveled through the long, winding streets, where crowds of onlookers lined the roadside, almost to the point of welcoming the carriage from all sides.

Children chased after the carriages, women leaned out of the windows, and men took off their hats to salute... For these people, the Orient Express was a spectacle!
The Crowne Plaza is the best hotel in Giurgiu, but in the eyes of Parisian guests, it is at best considered comfortable.

Lunch consisted of traditional Romanian dishes: samal (meat-filled cabbage rolls), mitit (grilled sausages), goat cheese, and corn porridge, accompanied by local wine.

Enescu and the local dignitaries took turns offering toasts, trying to converse with the guests in French, Romanian, and occasionally a few German words.

The discussion focused on railways, trade prospects, and the "eastern extension of European civilization."

Lionel ate quietly, occasionally answering questions from those at the next table and dealing with dignitaries who came to exchange pleasantries.

Sitting next to him was a Romanian businessman, but he wasn't interested in literature; instead, he was eager to learn about the French market's demand for grain and timber.

"I heard you have many investments in Paris? Are you interested in investing in Danube shipping? We have high-quality oak timber at half the price in France..."

Lionel could only politely reply, "I mainly deal in electrical and mechanical products. However, you can give your business card to Sophie; she manages all my business."

The merchant immediately turned to Sophie and began to enthusiastically introduce the business. Sophie listened with a smile, took out a small notebook from her handbag, and jotted down the key information.

Lunch lasted two hours, and by the end, many guests looked tired. Two consecutive days of train travel and lengthy social activities were too exhausting.

At 3 p.m., the group set off again for the ferry terminal.

Here, the Danube is wide and gentle, its waters shimmering a muddy, yellowish-brown under the sunlight. Several paddle steamers are moored at the dock, their chimneys belching black smoke.

The guests boarded the ferry "Danube Star" amidst a farewell ceremony. It was a flat-bottomed boat with a very spacious deck, but the passenger cabins were rather simple.

Half an hour later, the ferry arrived in Ruse on the Bulgarian side, and the group took a horse-drawn carriage to the train station—but the "hardships" of this journey had only just begun.

Bulgaria had reserved the "best carriages" for these distinguished guests, but they were nothing more than wooden seats with thin cushions and windows as small as eyeglasses.

Compared to the luxurious Orient Express, this place is like another world.

Louis Bertin muttered a complaint: "My God! Eight hours?"

Henry Browitz shrugged: "At least there were seats. I've covered the battlefields of the Balkans, where there weren't even trains; you had to ride horses."

For the first half hour, everyone was able to maintain their composure and chat about the scenery outside the window; but as time went on, discomfort began to spread among most people.

The seats were too hard, causing back pain after sitting for a long time; the carriage was poorly ventilated, filled with the smells of coal smoke, sweat, and mildew.

The train wasn't going fast, but it was extremely bumpy; even a teacup placed on the small table would slide.

To make matters worse, the meal prepared by the Bulgarian side was pitifully simple—hard bread, cheese, boiled eggs, and oddly-tasting sausages, all served cold.

As night fell, gaslights were lit in the carriages. In the dim light, everyone looked exhausted.

Sophie leaned against the window, resting with her eyes closed. Lionel, on the other hand, gazed out at the dark fields, where a few scattered lights occasionally flashed by.

Sophie opened her eyes and saw Lionel deep in thought. She asked softly, "What are you thinking about?"

Lionel was silent for a long while before sighing and saying, "I remembered the journey home I used to take. The seats were hard, and it took a whole day and night of bumping around..."

Sophie gently stroked Lionel's hand: "Back to the Alps from Paris? That's quite a distance..."

Lionel smiled, didn't say much, just shook his head: "Let's rest a little longer, it'll be another two hours."

At 11 p.m., the train finally pulled into Varna station.

The passengers used almost their last bit of strength to get off the train. The Bulgarian authorities arranged for horse-drawn carriages to take them to the best hotel in the area, the "Black Sea Star."

Lionel and Sophie's room was on the third floor, facing the sea. The room wasn't big, but it was clean enough, and they could hear the sound of the waves.

After washing up, most people went straight to sleep. The sixteen-hour journey had exhausted everyone. The next morning, as sunlight streamed into the room through the window, Lionel finally felt somewhat refreshed.

Georges Nagelmarque announced the itinerary: "Boarding will be at four o'clock this afternoon. The 'Esperor' is already at the dock."

The voyage will take fifteen hours, and we will arrive in Constantinople tomorrow morning. There are enough cabins on board so everyone can get a good rest.

This news cheered everyone up a bit.

The morning is free time. Some people stay at the hotel to rest, some go for a walk on the beach, and some visit the market in Varna.

Lionel and Sophie chose the latter. Varna was a bustling port city, its streets crowded with sailors, merchants, and porters.

The market was filled with all sorts of goods—dried fish, spices, textiles, handicrafts, and carpets and bronzeware imported from the East.

They bought some local snacks and had a strong-smelling specialty coffee at a small shop.

At 3 p.m., everyone gathered and headed to the pier.

The Espero is a medium-sized propeller steamship that primarily serves as a postal service, business passenger transport, and high-end passenger transport.

The itinerary was specially adjusted for the maiden voyage of the Orient Express, and all the first-class cabins were made available.

Lionel and Sophie's private cabins are on the upper deck of the ship, with portholes offering sea views.

The room was a bit larger than the hotel room in Varna, with a separate bathroom, two beds, a small table, and two chairs.

Sophie sat on the edge of the bed and let out a long sigh: "Finally, I can get some rest."

In the afternoon, the ship slowly sailed away from Varna port and entered the Black Sea.

The voyage was very smooth. The Black Sea is usually calm in autumn, and the Espero, being a new ship, had its engines running well, so there was almost no vibration.

Most passengers rested in their cabins, catching up on the sleep they had missed the night before. It wasn't until dinner time that they gradually appeared in the restaurant.

Dinner on board was a delightful surprise. The chef prepared it to European standards—cream soup, grilled fish, stewed lamb, vegetables, fresh bread, and French wine.

After dinner, instead of going back to their rooms immediately, everyone went to the ship's recreation room. Inside, there was a card table, bookshelves, a piano, and a small bar.

Many people choose to go there for a drink, chat, play cards, and while away the time before bed.

The recreation room quickly filled with people. Waiters brought coffee, tea, brandy, and whiskey. Some started playing cards, while others sat on the sofas chatting.

Passengers on the Orient Express gathered together, and the conversation inevitably returned to the "murder" that had occurred the day before.

Historian Paul Moreau handed Lionel a glass of wine: "I still want to know, which conclusion do you support?"

The results of the vote on the train a few days ago—fourteen people chose to conceal the truth, and four chose to reveal it—do not seem to have completely solved the problem.

"If the vote results in a majority choosing to expose the conspiracy of the twelve people, what would you say?"

Lionel took a small sip of his drink and then put the glass on the table.

He paused for a moment before saying, "If this case has already caused a sensation in society like the 'Little Daisy Kidnapping Case,' then I will support conclusion two and expose the truth."

Because in that situation, concealment was no longer an option. Attempting to cover it up would only fuel more speculation and rumors, potentially harming more innocent people in the end.

Moreover, when an event becomes a public incident, undermining the authority of the law and procedural justice can indeed lead to unpredictable consequences and cause the system to collapse.

The public will see that the law can be circumvented in this way; politicians will see that public opinion can be manipulated in this way; and if anyone wants to imitate this, they will find a reason.

These words surprised the others, and Paul Morrow quickly asked, "You just said 'if,' which means you actually support 'Conclusion One'?"

Lionel nodded: "In the game, this case takes place on a closed train, trapped in a blizzard, and only a dozen or so people on board know about it."

There was no media coverage, no public attention, and no official record. These twelve people weren't 'challenging the law,' but rather carrying out a revenge that wouldn't spread.

He looked at Paul Moreau, and at the others in the room: “In this situation, I would choose to let the so-called ‘truth’ be buried forever in the snow.”

As I've already stated, if these twelve people are tried, it will only lead to new tragedies; and the law will not become more perfect simply by revealing this case.

Paul Morrow nodded thoughtfully: "So your choice depends on... the scope of influence?"

Lionel sighed: "There is no perfect option. This is just a helpless choice I made after weighing the costs and consequences."

Charles de Fressinet commented: "You are pragmatic. But even if only a dozen or so people know, hiding the truth is just as dangerous; secrets will always be exposed one day."

Mrs. Rothschild shook her head: "But sometimes, some secrets are worth keeping. Not for justice, but so that the living can continue to live."

The topic continued for a while, but no one could convince everyone. Eventually, everyone tacitly veered towards lighter topics.

Louis Bertan stood up: "Alright, alright, enough about the murder. Let's play cards! Who's playing Whist? Leon, you have to join!"

Lionel stood up with a smile and walked to the card table: "Sure, but as a Frenchman—'I want to check the cards!'"

(First update, thank you everyone!)
(End of this chapter)