CHAPTER XIV

There were times during their rapid journey when Seaman, studying his companion, became thoughtful. Dominey seemed, indeed, to have passed beyond the boundaries of any ordinary reserve, to have become like a man immeshed in the toils of a past so absorbing that he moved as though in a dream, speaking only when necessary and comporting himself generally like one to whom all externals have lost significance. As they embarked upon the final stage of their travels, Seaman leaned forward in his seat in the sombrely upholstered, overheated compartment.

"Your home-coming seems to depress you, Von Ragastein," he said.

"It was not my intention," Dominey replied, "to set foot in Germany again for many years."

"The past still bites?"

"Always."

The train sped on through long chains of vineyard-covered hills, out into a stretch of flat country, into forests of pines, in the midst of which were great cleared spaces, where, notwithstanding the closely drawn windows, the resinous odour from the fallen trunks seemed to permeate the compartment. Presently they slackened speed. Seaman glanced at his watch and rose.

"Prepare yourself, my friend," he said. "We descend in a few minutes."

Dominey glanced out of the window.

"But where are we?" he enquired.

"Within five minutes of our destination."

"But there is not a house in sight," Dominey remarked wonderingly.

"You will be received on board His Majesty's private train," Seaman announced. "The Kaiser, with his staff, is making one of his military tours. We are honoured by being permitted to travel back with him as far as the Belgian frontier."

Answer the following questions:
1. How many characters are in the passage?
2. What are their names?
3. What type of vehicle are they traveling in?
4. Who doesn't seem to be excited?
5. What country is he from?
6. How long is it until their next stop?
7. Where are they headed to next?
8. How will they get there?
9. Who is the more quiet companion?
10. Does he have fond memories of his homeland?

Numbered answers:
1. Two.
2. Seaman and Dominey.
3. A train.
4. Dominey.
5. Germany.
6. A few minutes.
7. The Belgian frontier.
8. On board His Majesty's private train.
9. Dominey.
10. No.