The train arrived at Aliat, and stayed there ten minutes without my being aware of it.

I am sorry for it, for Aliat is a little seaport, and I should like to have had a first glimpse of the Caspian, and of the countries ravaged by Peter the Great.

Two columns of the historico-fantastic might have been made out of that, with the aid of Bouillet and Larousse.
"Baku! Baku!" The word repeated as the train stopped awoke me.
It was seven o'clock in the morning..