Summary

In Chapter 5, Aliocha returned to Helene’s compartment. A knock at the door informed them that the train was approaching Ulan-Ude much sooner than either of them had expected. As the train pulled into the station, they realized that the conscripts had disembarked for a roll call on the platform. Letchov saw Aliocha’s unattended backpack on the platform and kicked it.

The brown-haired provodnitsa burst into Helene’s compartment and told Aliocha to hurry. She instructed him to hide in the toilet but not lock the door. Soon, two soldiers searching the train arrived at Helene’s compartment and searched it, beginning by looking at the luggage rack Aliocha had hidden in earlier. In the corridor, the provodnitsa mopped the floor outside the toilet, blocking their way. She engaged in casual and friendly conversation with the soldiers. She pushed the door to the...