Kurnov allowed himself to be carried in the crowd toward the waiting coaches, but carefully avoided contact with everyone around him. His fame within Russia assured his superiority and no one challenged his insistence upon a seat by himself, at the rear of the bus. The first stop was at Berlin’s famous zoo, for which Kurnov was grateful. Slowly, he allowed himself to drop further and further behind the main party, anxious to avoid being trapped by his own companions. Twice the party slowed, to permit him to catch up. Each time he feigned interest in the animals and mumbled a vague apology befitting a man still feeling unwell. The main thoroughfare was intersected by minor paths. He maintained the slow progress, apparently intent upon bordering cages, again preparing the shrugging apology, but no move came from the party ahead. Suddenly he darted sideways, hurrying into an even narrower walk and heading for the exit out on to Budapesterstrasse. He had to fight against running, still tensed against a yell of challenge that would destroy everything.
