The Truth is Revealed

May 1936

I sat by the window in my room thinking about Gerta, my relatives, and friends I had left behind in Berlin. It was time to write letters again to remind them of me, to tell them how much I have been thinking of them and how much I miss them.

The view of the Russian countryside was bleak. After leaving Moscow proper, the terrain gradually became untamed and undeveloped. I saw small huts, muddy farmlands unattended with bony and gaunt cows and goats lolling in the pastures, and makeshift pens filled with scraggly chickens. What roads there were, were unpaved, furrowed from the wagon wheels that scarred them during hard rains. This country looked as if it had slept for decades while Moscow had been wide-awake with progress.

I thought about my parents, knowing they still were worried about our missing papers and money. At this point we had no need for them. Nevertheless I was more than curious to learn what had happened to my pouch and Paps’ wallet.

The first stop of consequence was a city that seemed to be cut in half by a river. In the distance, mountains riveted the countryside. I can’t remember the name of the city but I still have pictures of it in my mind. There was bustle on the roads and sidewalks.²³ I wished I could have walked around but I knew I couldn’t.

We settled into a routine which included going to the dining car at meal times to chat with other German passengers. I heard my parents discuss politics with them, including what everyone presumed would be the forthcoming clash between Hitler and Stalin. But they also talked about future plans with families and friends and never-ending worries about relatives who had remained in Germany.

I believe a day or two passed, the only relief from the monotony were the stations along the route. Even though many passengers would step off to walk about the stations, Paps, Mutsch and I never left the train. When word was passed along to inform us of delays, we remained snug in our compartment. We wouldn’t venture even to the dining car when the train was at rest.

The next day there was a knock at our door. Mutsch answered and invited Katya to come in.

“Hello. Are you well?” she asked.

“Yes, we are,” Mutsch replied. “Is there any news of our possessions?”

“No, not as yet. We are continuing our investigation. Try not to worry. My staff and I will resolve the situation I’m sure of it.” Then pointing to me she asked, “May I borrow the little one for a short while?”

Paps inquired, “For what purpose, Katya?”

Katya extended her hands. I grasped them in mine. “I’d like to escort Fraülein Völker to the club car. We have some fine scenery in this part of my country and some notable points of interest coming up. It will be a good geography and history lesson for her.”

Paps said, “Yes, that’s fine. How long you will be?”

“No more than twenty minutes,” Katya said reassuringly.

She and I left the compartment and briskly walked to the club car. We sat down.

“In a few minutes we’ll pass a demarcation point,” she said. “You’ll see no particular distinction when we do but I must tell you of its significance.”

My first guess was the equator but then I realized that was silly. We were nowhere near it. Perhaps it would be a medieval fortress or a natural wonder.

“Look in that direction and soon you’ll see,” she said pointing.

All I could see was an endless sprawl of land, the mountains in the distance seeming to erupt from the horizon. There were no buildings, no animals, nothing, just a vast stretch of uninhabited land.

“I don’t understand,” I said.

“Yes, I know,” she said. And then with particular emphasis she screeched, “There!”

Still nothing.

“We’ve just crossed from Europe into Asia,” she informed me. “We’re not far from a wonderful city, Katherineburg, our first stop in Asia.” I didn’t see anything out of the ordinary but I understood the implication. The country of Russia is so incredibly vast that even though we were inside its borders we were entering another part of the world.

“There are unique and provocative stories about that city,” she said moving closer to me.

“I’d love to hear,” I said.

Katya closed her eyes to gather her thoughts. “You’re familiar with myths?” she asked.

“Yes. I’ve read many Greek myths. I’m fond of several of them.”

“Well,” she said, “there were mammoths—enormous creatures now extinct—that roamed about this very area thousands of years ago.” I nodded my head. She continued. “Because there was no end to the discoveries of their bones, tusks, and teeth, many believed that they still lived underground. They believed the movements of the mammoths caused the earth to tremble and open up. Today we know that what they were describing was an earthquake. The native peoples thought that the mammoths were responsible for the upheaval of massive boulders that would appear on the landscape, ripped from the earth, thrown onto the surface into prominence. Some reasoned that the erratic courses of the rivers were due to the waters wishing to avoid the mammoths burrowing below.”

“Fascinating,” I said. “I have heard of other stories that helped to explain things which at the time had no other explanation.”

“Yes. You’re a very intelligent young girl.” Then Katya stood up. “But we must return you now to your parents or they will worry.”

She escorted me back to my compartment where she cordially thanked me and bade my parents goodbye. Paps and Mutsch wanted to know everything about my interaction with Katya. I told them about the mammoths.

They were as spellbound as I had been.

The next morning I woke up and looked out my window. It was incredible how the landscape had changed. Expecting the same dreary scene that had followed us from Moscow, I was delighted to find colour and vibrancy as far as I could see. I was captivated. Suddenly I heard Katya’s voice in my parents’ room. I went to see what was going on.

“Good morning,” Katya sang to me. “Are you well?”

“Yes, thank you. Have our things been found?”

“No.” Katya said, “But you may be pleased to know that overnight we entered into the western reaches of Siberia.”

“It’s beautiful!” I said.

“Did you see the flowers?” she asked.

“Yes, I did. I saw pink, white, and purple wildflowers spread about like an endless carpet.”

“And?” She was testing me.

“And low-growing bushes with yellow blossoms close to the tracks. They swayed in the wind. But it’s strange, I didn’t see any birds.”

She placed her hand on my shoulder. “You’re very observant, little one. Oh, they’re there, almost everywhere. The speed of the train might have frightened them away.”

“I understand,” I said. “I wonder how different this place looks in the winter covered with snow!”

The four of us shivered at the very thought of the cold.

At lunch one afternoon I looked out to find drab buildings and dense groups of concrete structures on the outskirts of the city we were approaching. Here was another Russian town cleft by two rivers—one much wider than the other. As the train crawled into the station I looked to Paps and Mutsch. Knowing our routine I said, “Should we go back to our compartment?”

With my question still hanging in the air, Katya entered the dining car and stood at attention just inside the door. She looked around at the diners. I saw a waiter jump to, hastily bringing her a glass of something. I assumed it was vodka, but who knows. As she continued to scan the car it appeared that she was looking for someone. With a cold stare she surveyed the tables several times. Paps waved to her when her line of sight crossed his but she didn’t respond.

The train stopped. When I looked out the window I noticed a placard with a white background and four black letters, O, M, C, and K. I was overcome with fright. Scores of police officers were pacing about. Most carried pistols and many had rifles.

Paps and Mutsch saw them. They were as fearful as I was.

“What do we do now?” Mutsch asked Paps.

“If we hasten to our compartment that only will arouse suspicion. We’ll stay at our table.”

We saw Katya making her way toward us.

Paps whispered, “Lorechen, you will eat your meat and bread. Mutsch, you will continue to enjoy your caviar.”

Katya stopped at our table. We exchanged stilted and forced pleasantries. Paps suggested that she join us for lunch.

“No, thank you, Herr Völker, not this time,” she said rather coldly.

There was a commotion at the front end of the railcar. At the doorway two Russian police officers appeared carrying carbines.²⁴ We froze in our seats.

Katya snapped her fingers. “Please, everyone, don’t be frightened. These officers will be with us for a while. Our request is that you go about your routines.”

The armed personnel walked the length of the aisle and then entered the next car.

“What’s that all about?” father wondered.

Again, Katya addressed the group. “The officers will be with us until certain situations have been resolved. There’s no cause for alarm. Return to your food and to your conversations!”

Katya then turned to us. “I see that you are concerned. Don’t worry. The officers are on maneuvers. They’ll disembark within the next day or so.” She then looked down at the large bowl at Mutsch’s setting. “I’ll leave you now to your caviar, Frau Völker.” She left.

I didn’t like the way the police had strutted about, their long rifles strapped across their shoulders like suspenders, their expressionless faces. I wondered, did they board because of our missing papers? Were they monitoring our every activity? If so, then why wasn’t Katya concerned?

I did not sleep well that night and I am quite sure neither did my parents. When we awoke the next morning we quickly dressed and made our way to the dining car. We seated ourselves, ordered, and then waited in silence. I saw Paps’ eyes moving from left to right and up and down. He was listening in on a conversation at the next table. As usual Gregori, the waiter who knew Mutsch’s culinary predilection, brought a large bowl of caviar and placed it at her setting. He lingered next to her, pausing from his duties, I imagined, to receive an acknowledgement from her.

Just then Paps leaned to the adjacent table and said to the couple seated there, “Yes, we were as well. But I did learn from the railway personnel that the police officers we saw are with the NKVD and they’re searching the train for persons possessing passports stolen from tourists at our last stop. It’s best to keep your eyes and ears open.”

Gregori left our table hurriedly without waiting for a response from Mutsch.

Ten minutes later another waiter brought food for Paps and me. After our plates were presented Mutsch whispered, “By the way, darling, I didn’t hear anything about stolen passports. Are you sure you are well-informed?”

“Not now, Dottie.”

That was the first time in several weeks I’d heard Paps refer to Mutsch as Dottie. In the past, whenever he would use her nickname it meant for her to be quiet, not to ask questions, and to go about her business as usual. “Yes, darling,” she said to him.

We felt the train slowing down. The man at the table next to us told Paps a stop was not scheduled at this time so we guessed there was a sharp turn ahead. The train’s motion decreased rapidly. Within a minute it stopped. I looked out. We were in the middle of a vast expanse, no station or village anywhere to be seen.

Paps craned his neck to see along the side of the train. “There are several police vehicles just beyond the tracks,” he said.

Moments later police officers entered the dining car causing everyone to flinch. Mutsch reached for my arm. They marched toward us. My stomach lurched. Please, I thought, I do not want to vomit now. I was terrified they would demand our papers and when we could not produce them they would arrest us, take us off the train, and throw us in prison. Mutsch appeared as if she would faint. The policemen gathered at our table. One of them motioned for the other diners to leave. They did so quickly. This is the end, I thought, Paps, Mutsch, and I were at the mercy of the Russian police.

Katya entered the car. I didn’t know if that meant we were saved or if we were condemned. She was carrying a small burlap bag. There was something in it. I closed my eyes and began to pray it wasn’t a pistol. She stood before us, her expression blank yet foreboding.

“Herr Völker,” she said in a low monotone.

“Yes, Katya?” father asked.

“I’ll now inform you of a discovery we’ve made.”

The colour drained from Paps’ face. Mutsch was shaking. I imagined what Katya was about to say. I felt I would lose consciousness.

You are not Völker! You are Jews!

She slid her hand into the bag and presented Paps’ wallet!

“I’m sorry for every inconvenience you and your family have suffered because of blatant dishonesty. And here, little one, is your pouch.”

“Thank you,” I said weakly.

“We’ve apprehended the porter who was assigned to your compartment and one of the waiters, Gregori, his accomplice. They are the thieves.” Paps, Mutsch, and I exhaled as one. I felt the knot in my stomach ease and gradually unravel. My thumping heart slowed. Mutsch let go of my arm, leaving fingernail impressions.

“Thank you, Katya,” Paps said. “We’re so grateful.”

With trembling hands Paps opened his wallet and my pouch, dumping the contents onto the table. Everything was there. He flipped through our tickets, travel documents, Japanese visas, and our money. Nothing was missing!

“Let me order you food and drink,” Paps said, “and for your officers as well.” He opened his wallet and withdrew some bills. “Please let me reimburse you for your time and effort.”

Katya barked at the policemen. They left the dining car. “That’s not necessary,” she said. She patted my head and then followed the officers out. “Look there,” Mutsch said as she peered out the window. The porter who had serviced our compartment and Gregori, the waiter, were now in fetters and were being escorted to the police vehicles. In a matter of moments the doors slammed shut and they were driven away.

We heard a loud whistle and the train lurched forward, gathering the momentum necessary to carry us onward.

We slept well that night.

We regained our countenance and our composure the next morning although we still had fresh memories of the frightful confrontation with the policemen. We were less worried and we felt more relaxed. Paps reminded us not to let our guard down. If the Russians discovered us we would be considered the worst kind of impostors: German Jews masquerading as German Christians.

When we asked Paps to explain how he knew of the NKVD and its search for passengers in possession of stolen passports he wouldn’t answer us directly, he shrugged his shoulders or said news travels fast in the confines of a train especially when it has to do with law enforcement activities.

Paps’ cavalier replies didn’t sit well with Mutsch.

We were halfway through our breakfast meal when Katya entered the dining car. I waved excitedly to her and she smiled back as she walked toward us. When she arrived at our table Paps jumped up, shook her hand, and said, “Good morning, Katya. Please join us.”

Standing behind me she grasped my shoulders. I really wanted to learn more about her and find out how such an attractive woman ended up bossing policemen around. I was sure she wouldn’t sit with us but perhaps she would remain long enough for me to pose at least one question.

“I’d be delighted,” she said.

I was so surprised! Paps brought a chair over from an adjoining table.

A waiter arrived to take Katya’s order before she had finished adjusting her napkin. “Eggs, fruit, and vodka,” she said.

Paps told her again how indebted and grateful we were to her for her assistance in recovering our things. She smiled. “It’s the Russian way.”

When the waiter returned with Katya’s order, she didn’t waste any time before addressing Paps. “I’m curious how you knew of the NKVD and its hunt for the thieves with stolen passports.”

This was what Mutsch was waiting for. “Yes, dear,” she commented dryly, “do tell us.”

He stammered. “Katya, I’m reluctant to say anything that . . .”

“I know,” Katya said, “but you must confide in me. I didn’t know that the NKVD were on the train.”

Paps’ face drained of colour. He was nervous.

“Well, if I must,” he said.

“Please do,” Mutsch and Katya implored simultaneously.

We broke into laughter at their curious duet! Paps realized that he would have to explain sometime so he told his story.

“A few days ago when the porter was leaving our compartment I remembered my first impression of him. I didn’t like the way his cold eyes looked into mine. I thought it odd that he spoke in French since all the other porters in the first few railcars spoke German. Anyway, when I realized my wallet was missing, I immediately suspected him. Then, one night while I was in the club car by myself, Gregori, Mutsch’s favourite waiter . . .”

He stopped to smile at Mutsch, who blushed.

He continued, “. . . passed through the car on his way to the front of the train. That was unsettling to me. One of the other passengers had mentioned that the kitchen staff had accommodations near the back of the train, practically the last car. There’d be no reason for any waiter to be this far forward. Also, I did notice that every time we were in the dining car Gregori made it his business to come to our table with Mutsch’s caviar, even when another waiter already had begun to serve us.”

Katya asked, “Then why didn’t you bring this to my attention?” She had not touched her eggs or fruit but I did see her swirl a mouthful of vodka then swallow hard.

Paps was contrite. “It was only a suspicion, at that time baseless. But, then I thought sometimes a rumour has more power than we imagine it will.”

“And that’s when you made the comment about the NKVD to the man at the next table,” Katya concluded. “You were hoping Gregori would overhear and then do something rash that would give away his guilt?”

“Yes,” Paps said, “I didn’t want to make unfounded accusations.”

Katya waved her empty glass as a waiter passed by. “It’s extraordinary that you would conceive of such a ruse.”

The waiter returned, placing another glass in front of Katya. She flicked her hand at the eggs and fruit. The waiter removed her plates.

“You may be surprised to know, Herr Völker, that I was conducting my own investigation and also presumed that your porter was responsible. Passports are worth, how does the proverbial saying go, their absolute weight in gold?” She drank from her glass. “We were monitoring the interaction between the porter and Gregori. When Gregori left the dining car in search of the porter we knew for certain. We already had the porter in custody by the time Gregori arrived, and well, you can imagine his look of shock and surprise. In my country stealing is a capital offence. They will be dealt with accordingly.”

Katya stood up, apologized again for our inconvenience, and then patted the top of my head. “You know I’m in charge of all the enforcement officials on this train. We would never request the help of the NKVD. There’s no need to.”

She winked at Paps, quickly trying to conceal the smile that crept across her face. “In the future, though, please leave this kind of thing to me, yes?”

She handed money to the waiter and then left the dining car.

Mutsch turned to Paps. “You never cease to amaze me, my darling,” is all she could think to say.