I pulled on the arctic outfit, feeling as if I were wearing a spacesuit, and having a similar lack of dexterity. I put my smaller case, the one I would normally travel with, inside the now vacant larger one and slung my computer tote diagonally across my shoulders. According to my cellphone satellite map, we were now only a short distance from the terminus, so I parked my padded backside on the edge of the desk I had been using. Because of the sudden appearance of condensation I could see little or nothing through the window. I watched the map rolling slowly along.

The train made three or four more braking lurches. The last one felt definitive. Glad to be out of the sleeping cabin at last, I squeezed and manoeuvred my way through the narrow door and into the corridor. Here at last I saw several of my fellow passengers emerging from their own compartments. Everyone was bundled up in thick layers of padded clothing, and carrying or porting their luggage. One by one we waddled towards the outer door. It was then I felt the touch of the first tendrils of the sub-zero air of Dearth City. It was a profound shock. I had literally never felt anything as cold as that before.

The Mystery of the Two Keys

2

The Mystery of the Two Keys

I clamped my gloved hand across my nose and mouth, trying to filter or slow the icy air. I could barely see. I managed to step down to the platform without falling, but other passengers, presumably more accustomed to the cold than me, pushed past. A wheeled suitcase ran over my foot, although because of my thick boots I barely felt it. The owner of the case looked back at me as if I had deliberately put my foot in his way. The platform had been freed of ice and snow in a narrow cleared passage alongside the train, but most of the platform was covered in old, compacted snow, uneven and dirty.

I followed the other passengers along the platform, tramping unsteadily. People in a hurry weaved past me, stepping off the cleared passage on to the hard-frozen snow because I was going too slowly. Several of them glared at me as they slithered past. The freezing cold air was now having a weird effect on my tongue and throat. I kept my lips pressed together as much as possible. My eyelids were starting to feel stiff.

I reached the station concourse. This was high roofed and ill lit, with the winds blustering in through the open sides. Loud music played constantly, echoing and distorted, even through constant station announcements. There was no sign of anyone waiting to meet me. I put down my bags and waited as the other passengers dispersed.

Then a quiet voice beside me said: ‘Dr Fremde?’

I barely heard the voice because of my inner confusion, and all the noise. Someone had stepped up beside me.