We return briefly to the story of lovelorn Prince Rudolf:
“Mayerling, August 1888.”
“I am sorry to see you go. It seemed that recently you were back to your old self...”
“I thought so too, my good Loschek. But I fear I have really deluded myself.”
“If I may, perhaps it is not too late to contact Klara.”
“No, Loschek. I do not want to make her uncomfortable, or even get her into trouble.”
“Forgive me, but... you are the Crown Prince! You could take her back, if you wanted!”
“Do you really think that I would use my title (such as it is) to assert my choices? If so, you have never truly understood me.”
“I... forgive me, my Prince.”
“Forgive you? And for what? For being the most sincere and loyal friend I have ever had? Do not worry about me. London will do me good...”
The second page moves back to modern day, as our heroes visit Captain Steiner in the hospital:
“Berchtesgaden Polyclinic. Today.”
“The situation is anything but cheerful, Mystère... And I'm not talking about my condition. I'll be as lively as a cricket again in a couple of days. Of course I'm referring to what you've experienced first-hand. For some reason those people are angry with you and your research, to the point of trying to catch you with those ridiculous disguises, certainly inspired by local folklore. I'd like to tell you to go back to the United States immediately, but I think I'd be talking to the wind.”
“We haven’t known each other for long, but you understand me very well.”
“So I can only repeat what I've already recommended to you, without much success.”
