we wanted with 'BAGGAGE' they went away
growling that I wasn't playing fair!... To my somber-robed lady of
Buckingham, who seems to have deserted me, as well as the slender
guard at the Huis ten Bosch, as well as those at the Wilhelmstrasse
and Odessa, who are part of this 'BAGGAGE,' my guard's agitation will
assume the humorous character of unconscious prophecy.... Suspicion
is in the air!... This undisciplined gang of cutthroats under that
half-baked Sergeant are demanding HOSTAGES from _me_ for _my_ conduct
of this business ... they want 'the Grand Dutchess Olga,' her two
companions, and FIFTY other women!... AT LAST!... the _planes are
buzzing in the sky_.... The Ikon of Holy Nicholas is being
wrapped up.... The NUN has copies of the letters to Oldenburg and
Gendrikov.... It's time to say to my prisoner: _Come with ME to the
U.D.S. of W.A.R.A.D._'.... If he has the code from Odessa he will ask:
'_Are you taking me to be shot_?'... '_RUNMOBS_'.... I'll have the
guard go through his pockets to find the letters that'll turn him over
to my '_vengeance_' ... then for Ekhart's tunnel and OBLIVION!"

23. Then this entry follows. It seems to be sufficiently
circumstantial to justify its reproduction here:

"Murder, like jealousy, in this country is a disease," begins the
narrative. "My part in this international murder will paralyze the
politician and mystify the sober mind of intelligent belief....
History will not be satisfied, however, without a VICTIM, and I must
furnish a victim that will satisfy the mob outside!... The Order has
been given.... There are celebrations among the banditti.... there are
moistened eyes among many peasants; there are strong men and gallant
men among the gang out yonder whose very looks betray the HATRED they
entertain for the suspected _executioner_ of their former ruler and
his excited family.... They fear, they try to avoid me; and I can
see in their looks that, given a favorable opportunity, they _will
hang me to the highest electric wire pole_ in the city!...

"I am not so certain, though, that EVERYONE outside will accept my
theatric 'slaughter' as the Gospel truth.

"Diagonally across the way there has been a Red Cross nurse eternally
peeking through her window in this direction.... If we go out into the
courtyard she can see us plainly behind the other buildings, for there
is nothing to obstruct her vision.... and she seems mighty anxious to
keep tab on all proceedings in the yard