THIRD JOURNEY. 143 



ween Berlin and St. Petersburg . before an official 

 from the Embassy handed me the vise passport with 

 many excuses, and the explanation that a misunder- 

 standing had occurred. 



o 



When however a few days later on the journey 

 to Warsaw I had reached the Russian frontier station. 

 I soon found that despite the alleged misunderstanding 

 I still belonged to the class of suspects. My effects 

 were searched, after all the other travellers had been 

 passed, with a minuteness which far exceeded all ex- 

 pectation. Every written and unwritten piece of paper 

 was retained, and it was finally declared to me that, 

 in consideration of the excellent result of the search 

 so far. I should be spared an equally thorough per- 

 sonal visitation if I handed up all my letters and gave 

 my word of honour, that I carried nothing else about 

 me printed or written. On my declaring that I should 

 return, as such a treatment did not suit me. it was 

 signified to me. that I must now go on with my luggage 

 to Warsaw and there await a further decision. I was 

 in fact a Russian state prisoner! 



Arrived at Warsaw I complained bitterly of the 

 treatment to which I had been subjected to General 

 Aureggio . who as director of the Warsaw- Vienna 

 Railway had concluded the contract for the construction 

 of the railway telegraphs with my firm. The General 

 promised to lay my case before the then Governor of 

 Poland. Prince Paskewich. To his question whether I 

 had done, written, or said anything, which could have 

 rendered me politically suspected. I could only answer 



