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Hunt for Wunderwaffe

PROLOGUE Operation Wunderland. Hitler’s bet

— Is it far from the airfield to the Werewolf headquarters? — asked the pilot and not someone, but the officer with the buttonholes of the SS navigator.

The cockpit was cramped, especially with the SS officers who entered. This was an undoubted violation of the rules, but who was going to follow them now? And, the aircraft commander did not insist that the officers leave the cockpit.

Geographical coordinates of the Werewolf facility:

49°18’30.3"N 28°29’35.9”E

“No, not very much. Here, Vinnitsa, already under us, and there, and the village of Strizhavka — and the rate from it is eight kilometers away, in a dense forest. Beautiful, I’ll tell you the place! said the pilot almost dreamily. — Beautiful, almost gingerbread, fabulous forest, with excellent houses for officers. There is even a pool and an open-air cinema. Have a great rest!

“You see, Sievers, everything is going as it should,” said the Sturbanfuhrer, “the Fuhrer will certainly approve of our preparations. And, I hope for more funding than before, until our study is completed.

— As much work as time spent, — said the gentleman sadly in the form of the SS gruppenfuhrer, — but no, this direction will certainly not be covered, too promising. The Fuhrer himself spoke favorably about the topic. Worry in vain, Hugo. And the documents are well selected.

— However, both the base and the atmosphere itself are here… Such, excuse me, a resort… We may not have enough time. And other questions…

— Everything will be fine. I have no doubt about the genius of our Fuhrer. He knows how to understand the whole point. This is very important for the Reich

Zivers looked calmly at one of his helpers. He understood that much, if not all, now depends on Hitler’s personal approval.

“All gentlemen! Buckle up, we are starting to decline! — commanded the pilot, — the runway a couple of kilometers from the village!

The plane was really good, as well as the personal pilot of the Fuhrer. But, Sturbanführer Thielemann adjusted his belts, and involuntarily grabbed the armrests of the chair. I noticed how closely Zivers was watching the landing in the window of the plane, the facial features of the head of Anenerbe did not change at all at that moment. The engines buzzed piercingly, the light blow of the landing gear wheels against the concrete of the runway was very noticeable, and Thielemann noticed that their plane immediately went to one of the taxiways, freeing the runway.

— Here, gentlemen, we arrived! Sorry, we don’t have flight attendants, there will be no one to kiss you goodbye! the pilot was joking.

His assistant opened the door, and the soldiers serving the airfield quickly rolled up the ladder. Both officers of the Ahnenerbe slowly descended to the ground. We didn’t have time to really look around. However, they were already expected.

— Heil Hitler! greeted their approaching officer with the colonel’s shoulder straps, — commandant of the headquarters Colonel Kurt Thomas! Let me introduce you to both SS Standartenfuhrer Johann Rattenhuber and Adjutant Fuhrer Hauptmann von Belov.

— Sturbanführer Hugo Thielemann.

— Gruppenführer Wolfram Sievers.

“Please, gentlemen! The car is waiting, now we will reach the bunker very quickly! You’ll be pleasantly surprised.

Thielemann loved cars, and there was something to be surprised at. After all, in front of them stood a rare copy of the art of engineers of the Third Reich, the very famous three-axle Mercedes G4 WH-32292, and Hitler’s driver, Sturbanfuhrer Erich Kempka, was driving. Yes, at least they met them with all the attention.

The car drove slowly, as if so that guests could enjoy the extraordinary landscape. At first glance, the Werfolf rate was more like a cottage village, or sanatorium, somewhere in beautiful Bavaria far from here, as if it had grown up among beautiful forests. The road built by prisoners of war was truly German, straight and flat, and beautiful pines stood untouched by caring builders.

— There is also a swimming pool, an open-air cinema and a casino for gentlemen of officers, — the commandant of Werfolf boasted of his achievements, — how much work it cost! But, as you can see, the result is worth it.

“A wonderfully beautiful place, Mr. Colonel,” said Zivers.

For example, the wooden barracks of the soldiers were perhaps indistinguishable from the burger estates of southern Germany. Made of large logs, with four windows on the sides, the buildings were very pleasing to the eye. And how breathed here, such a pure, beneficial air! It would be fashionable to stay here, heal and rest.

But now, the car rolled up to the bunker, as if hiding between a hundred-year-old, no less, trees. A gray, concrete, unassuming building, with a small door, as if out of nowhere arose in this dense grove.

— Here, come in! — and Yogan Rattenhuber was already ahead, showing such an important structure.

SS soldiers standing at the posts stretched out in a string, seeing their strictly boss. The same one smiled favorably at his subordinates. It was evident how proud the Gruppenfuhrer was of the order that he started and stubbornly supported here.

— The Fuhrer is waiting for you, — said the SS officer on duty, saluting those who came.

The heavy door opened, as if by itself, opening the entrance to the meeting room. Thielemann was almost surprised by the asceticism of this room. On the left, against the wall, a stove with a fireplace rose to the ceiling, bleached, decorated with three painted plates. Nearby stood a large round table, apparently a dining room, and a long conference table. Chairs and chairs were quite simple, without much frills. An ordinary lamp burned on the ceiling. rather than an expensive crystal chandelier. The situation itself did not even speak, but simply shouted about the modesty of the Fuhrer of the German nation.

And so, from the side door, Hitler himself entered. In an indispensable paramilitary uniform, with a swastika bandage on his right sleeve. He held his left hand behind his back, slouched a little. His face looked tired, and his black hair was carefully smoothed, but still capriciously disobeyed the combs, and some curls were crooked, very upset by this of their owner.

— Rattenhuber, and you, Colonel Thomas, come out, please. These people will tell me something important. We’d better talk in private, “the Fuhrer said imperiously.

“That’s right, my Fuhrer! — immediately, without reasoning, answered Rattenhuber, — Thomas, let’s go! he called the colonel.

At the very door, these officers clicked their heels and saluted. Hitler responded by raising his right hand. He laid it down when they came out, and with a sign invited the members of Ananerbe to sit down at a round table. There was already a coffee pot and appliances at the ready.

— So, gentlemen, how are your preparations for the expedition? Hitler asked, smiling a little, did you, Wolfram, report to me that von Wenden had agreed to take part in this raid?

“Yes, my Fuhrer. And this should bring success to the enterprise. Thielemann’s group is being trained in Alta, Norway, and will be transferred to the Kamenny base on Novaya Zemlya in a week.

— Bolsheviks do not make obstacles? Still, our base is not far from their observation points?

— They are short-sighted, and lack the ability to think creatively.

— Yes, these commissars are primitive drudges, and where to their weak mind to German genius. And most of the scientists and intelligent officers left, rather fled from the wild terror, — Hitler said with pleasure, crossing his arms on his chest and proudly straightening his back, — they will not understand anything before we capture the Heart of the Earth and secure victory. Thielemann?

— The hidden island is constantly in a ring of dense fog, according to von Wenden, the sharpest rocks at the bottom cover the fairway, and unloading will be difficult. A difficult, very protected place. But, von Wenden promised to lead us.

“I really, really hope for the Baron. And, I will adequately reward this Superman. I owe you very much, Sievers, that you introduced me to him. That day was one of the best of my life, I truly saw a miracle!

— Only, my Fuhrer, von Wenden, he claims strange… Absolutely incredible things… That the island is guarded by the Dead, and we can only be saved by a few goats sacrificed, right on the shore.

“Goats?”

— exactly. It’s so weird, my Fuhrer!

“I didn’t believe in much either, Thielemann, until I saw Superman himself, his resurrection. He personally attended how Dr. Mengele chopped off Wenden’s head, and then watched it grow to his neck, and he came to life again. I felt his irreplaceable strength — and Hitler began to walk in excitement around the office, throwing furious glances at the guests — all this is, and these are not fairy tales for children… How not fairy tales and the very existence of the Ancients. We will get help from them. You, Thielemann, will take Sleeping from the Island. So we will get trump cards in negotiations with the Immortals. And get Wunderwaffe out of their hands. Let the blind believe that the Wunderwaffe is supertanks, or guns, even missiles. No, the true Fairy weapon is a weapon from the Land of Fairy Tales, Wuderwaffe can only be from Wunderland. Its terrifying power will help us win the war.

“That’s right, my Fuhrer! Zivers said loudly, we will deliver the cargo in a submarine!

— No, Wolfram’s not… Too risky… — Hitler sat down on a chair standing nearby, and began to quickly write on a sheet of paper — here, the order… The battleship Admiral Scheer will go to sea, and he will deliver Sleeping to Norway, and then you will personally bring it to Germany.

— And then what?

— Do you remember, Zivers, about that case in Siberia, in 1908? About the explosion of incredible power, which was written about in the newspapers? How for many tens of kilometers around everything was simply demolished, crushed! — Hitler said this in incredible excitement, his eyes just burned, and his hands began to shake, — the Russians were then able to hide a lot, but it was you who unearthed that it was a bomb blown up by the Immortals… Well, now, these commissars — and he said these words with contempt — all this became unnecessary, they are stupid, deaf and blind. Now, this is a genuine Wunderwaffe, a wonderful, fabulous weapon of incredible power that will give us victory… Hitler repeated, with him, only with him we will win!

— So what? How will we act, my Fuhrer?

Wolfram Sievers already looked at Hitler with fear, he became really obsessed, saying such words, discussing this incredible project. So the main goal is Wunderwaffe… And that explains a lot.

— Still just Zivers… — and Hitler again looked at the chapter “Ananerbe” as a small child — This will become quite doable and logical. We will give the Immortals Sleeping, and in return we will ask them for Wunderwaffe. They will not refuse us, I am sure of that…

PART 1. Telegram — Warning. “There will be a huge explosion on Tunguska”

CHAPTER 1 Telegraph Station

Telegraph operator Alexei Pyatakov was on duty at the Yuza apparatus, often looking at the tower clock, and slowly, even tediously ticking in the corner of the room. Today’s night of June 14 turned out to be restless, so I even had to beat off the telephone message, knocking on these keys by order of General Orlov himself. True, it became more comfortable to work than on the Morse key, Pyatakov was able to appreciate this.

Sadly looked around the walls of such a familiar room, covered, as if in mockery, with cheerful greenish wallpaper. Nevertheless, the bosses did not spare funds for the maintenance of their service, and even the furniture was an expensive walnut tree, with spring seats on chairs and armchairs, and leather upholstery. The sofa was especially good, so all of itself so enticing, with a rounded back, soft sides, which seemed to ask him, even begged:

“Sit down with us, soldier… Sit, rest. Or maybe you can lie down! Where will your telegraph go!”

As if yielding to such thoughts, he settled down in a comfortable chair, even stretched his legs. I already wanted to sleep, and it seemed that the hands on the dial just froze. He checked how the electric lamp worked, flicked the switch, liked how the light was knocked out from under the green lampshade.

“But, there is a service, but here, nevertheless, pulling the strap is much better than somewhere on Kushka,” Alexey said quietly, calming himself down, but now we have strong tea, but sweet… And, we also have a tea sausage to reinforce forces.

Here, in the corner, there was a refrigerator, albeit, at first glance, an unassuming black color. And for sure, there was cold, from ice loaded into the upper hatch. Well, ice, of course, like everyone else’s house, was stored in a deep subfield, covered very carefully with straw. And, the products were stored very well, that even their cook, Efim Sergeevich, descended tula only in a sheepskin sheepskin coat, health birch.

But, the thing was much more thorough, weighed five pounds, no less. Recently, by order of the elder, Pyatakov and Evstafiev moved this thing from one corner to another, they suffered. A little Alexei was not injured in this case, he almost crushed his finger. And, almost earned a slap in the face from the elder, sergeant major Ivan Fedorovich Dolgunov, a thoroughly and zealous person.

But now it was much more convenient to extract very useful things from it, for example, the same tea sausage. Here is her, angry, and Alexey got it now. Like bread from a bread bowl. He put these supplies in front of him on a white plate, carefully cut the sausage with a knife, and came out like in an officer’s buffet. Well, at least not worse. Bread, of course, is not sieve, as there, but also not bad.

“Here, eating is called sandwiches,” the telegraph operator even recalled the name.

It looked very beautiful, it even became a pity to eat. But, as they say, he overpowered himself, and slowly chewed it all, washed down with noble hot tea. Now, imitating Ivan Fedorovich, he ran his right index finger over his mustache and coughed authoritatively. But, unfortunately Pyatakov, the mustache did not grow very much, their density was weak… Still, he turned barely twenty-two years old.

And he ate, and immediately took off his sleep like a hand. I was already happily watching how the sun was shining outside the window.

And then, stuck the receiver. The paper tape twirled quickly on the table, covered with letters, apparently a very urgent and important message. Pyatakov grabbed a piece of cardboard, and began to briskly stick on the tape, quickly cutting it with scissors along the boundaries of words. First, it knocked out where the message came from: “Vagran station.” He did not know about such. Then, the addressee, from which Pyatakova threw into sweat:" His Imperial Majesty Nikolai Alexandrovich in his own hands.” Then, even worse: “Secret.” Alexey was already going to wipe himself with his sleeve, but quickly took out a scarf from the cuff of his uniform, and wiped his wet forehead. Glued and glued further, and soon, the message was ready. He put it in a large gray envelope and sealed it. It remained, the most unpleasant. According to such messages, according to the instructions, it was necessary to immediately report personally to Mr. Shcholkov. And this oh how I did not want Alexey Pyatakov!

Vasily Alekseevich Shcholkov was the permanent head of the Palace Telegraphs Department, and he lodged here, in a house nearby. Who did not know that Mr. Shcholkov had found the era of the optical telegraph, with its famous wooden wings, difficult to communicate. There was a whole system of such signs, and it was not easy to semaphore, Alexei was forced to study this picky sergeant major. Yes, the electromagnetic telegraph Vasily Ivanovich built, like the building of this station, and in addition introduced telephone communications in St. Petersburg and Peterhof. And that Vasily Ivanovich Shcholkov, who gave half a century of his life to the case and witnessed the reign of three emperors, was such a living legend among telegraph operators. And here, wake up… But, military business… And, Pyatakov twisted the handle of Erickson’s telephone, picked up the phone, and said impressively:

— Connect to the house of his nobility Shcholkov… Yes, official need… I expect…

I had to wait, of course. But, as the voice of his beloved boss rang out, Pyaiakov jumped up from his chair and stretched out into a string, as if he could even be seen here.

— Your nobility, received a telegram to the highest name, with the stamp Secret. Telegraph operator Pyatakov reported. So exactly, sealed. There is, to issue a duty general to the messenger against signature!

Pyatakov in two movements took out a thick book from the shelf with the inscription: “Expedition,” quickly filled in the outgoing data — June 14, 1908, 03 hours 20 minutes. I heard the sound of a car approaching, and a messenger came, the wahmister of the Horse Guards Regiment, his acquaintance Grigory Ivanovich Chudakov. Looked awfully important and personable, in his leather jacket and white cap with a red band.

— Good day, Grigory Ivanovich. Here, and the package, everything is ready. — and held out a steel pen for the signature.

— Are you on duty again, Alexey? Well, it’s not bad to serve here, “he said, hiding the envelope in a sum,” it’s time, sorry. Then we’ll talk more.

The motor at the entrance rattled. The car sneezed once, right, for authority, and quickly rolled towards the Grand Palace. Pyatakov adjusted his cap and returned to Yuza’s apparatus. Until the end of the shift it was another three hours and forty minutes.

CHAPTER 2 Palace in Alexandria

— Your Excellency, package. Transmitted by telegraph operator Pyatakov.

“Thank you, Gregory, thank you,” the general replied in a concerned voice.

He examined the seal on the gray envelope with the transfer time, everything was in order. Once again he waved his hand to the wahmistra, letting go of the messenger. And then, from his native regiment, an old proven servant. Even when Orlov himself came to the Konnogvardeisky regiment, Chudakov was already pulling the strap of a difficult extra-long service.

Now General Orlov was an adjutant wing of the sovereign. Honor is considerable, and respect, but much more than that. His service at the Court was on a daily schedule. The watch lasted 24 hours. The adjutants were present at the daily divorce of the palace guard, taking the “password” from the guard and informing him to the emperor. The adjutant wing on duty provided a “connection” between the king and the people, collecting petitions from persons who were present at the palace during the divorce of the guard. This was done so that “the Sovereign Emperor was not stopped by petitioners.”

And General Orlov passed by two agents of the Security Department sitting at the entrance, unknown subordinates of the palace commandant Dmitry Fedorovich Trepov: Two years ago, a special detachment was created from intelligent and nimble people who were ready and able to do a lot. The task of the detachment was to protect the Tsar when traveling outside the palace residences. Its creator and immediate supervisor was Alexander Ivanovich Spiridovich. The schedules for the fighters included gymnastics on cars (simulators), the theory of field observation, a verbal portrait, information about weapons and shooting, the history of the revolutionary movement, reading plans and maps, Russian studies, Russian language and Russian history. And, interestingly, a spiritual conversation was held once a week. Why, General Orlov no longer understood this.

The time was early, but the day, or rather the night, was already going completely wrong…

***

— So, Petrovich, if anything.

— Yes, I remember, your Excellency… ‘the gray-haired batman repeated.

Luka Petrovich Vasiliev was the permanent batman of Count Orlov, and began to serve even when the general began his military career as a cornet in his native Konnogvardeisky regiment. The fact that both of them have come a long way, and the count never regretted that he took an intelligent guy from the Yaroslavl province into the service.

— Yes, you go to bed, sleep a couple of hours. I will look after everyone, your superiority…

The general lay down, covered with a blanket, and fell into an anxious dream. I dreamed of all sorts of things, and in addition, some voices, and a woman’s cry. Sighing, he sat down on the corner of the bed creaking under him, thinking that all this had happened. But no, I heard noise and voices in the next (reception) room, moreover, very clearly.

He jumped up, habitually put on all his uniform, managed to look at himself in the mirror, is it not suitable for an adjutant wing to look bad? He adjusted his cap and entered the reception room.

— Yes, you understand, — the young lady said suffocating, — they will execute Dmyitriya tomorrow, there is no time at all, but he is not guilty.. Honestly noble word!

Orlov frowned. He saw a lot of petitioners, whose friends or relatives were allegedly innocent, had seen enough and heard enough. True, this girl was glorious, but she seemed to speak from the heart, not just did not play with words.

— Here, look… He was consumptive, he was treated, — and she put yellowish paper from the doctor, — and he wanted to leave their cell, but he was threatened. They promised to kill him and me. I only learned this for three days… — she burst into tears and grabbed the general’s hand, — You, you, in your power to help, figure it out…

— So the court was…

— Who is judging them? Court martial, at three days. No lawyers, no jury… And they did not listen. As they took the whole cell with weapons and dynamite, so everyone to the Peter and Paul Fortress… Yes, he will die soon, my consumptive Dmitry..

— Sit here, I’ll talk to the valet.

The general got up from his chair, went out, covered the door behind him. And then, it was already about twelve in the afternoon, the sovereign could already go to bed. But, the young lady was wonderfully lovely, and the guard officer could not refuse her request. Orlov knocked on the valet’s room. The door opened immediately.

— Your Excellency?

— An urgent matter. Is the sovereign still not resting?

— No, deign to read. He asked me to wait half an hour.

— You see, and then the Supplicant appeared. He prays for leniency to the groom. Please report.

The valet shook his head. Looked at his livoyel

— No doubt, wait.

Literally a couple of minutes later Nikolai Alexandrovich himself came out, in his usual officer’s uniform. He was, as always, fit and cheerful.

— So what’s there, Orlov?

— The lady is asking for a pardon for the groom. He is very sick, and did not kill anyone, he is not marred in actions, there is no blood on him. He says tomorrow is the execution…

— Let him come, — Nikolai confidently said, putting a mouthpiece with a smoking cigarette in the ashtray: — I thank you very much for doing this. When a person’s life can be saved, there is no need to hesitate. Thank God neither Yours nor My conscience will be able to reproach us for anything, — added the sovereign.

He stood very straight, put his hands behind his back. A life Cossack came out of the other door. And this was true, however, and in the general’s pocket there was always a Browning ready for shooting. Was Kula to go? Time is…

But now, the valet entered, held the young lady, and left the reception. The sovereign listened carefully to everything, read the Petition.

“Everything will be fine,” the sovereign said calmly.

He quickly sat down at the table, began to confidently fill out telegram forms addressed to the Minister of Justice and the commandant of the Peter and Paul Fortress.

“Look,” the young lady showed the papers.

“Delay the execution of Dmitry Ivanovich Frolov. Wait for orders. Nikolay.”

She simply looked enchanted at the even lines of the royal order, unable to say anything, then nodded and lost consciousness. And she would have fallen to the floor if Orlov had not hastily picked up the young lady and put her on the sofa.

“Send your messenger to the Palace Telegraph immediately. My car is at your disposal, Orlov. And at the same time telephone the Minister of Justice and the Commandant that the telegrams have been sent and that they must take appropriate action. And, cameras — invite the maid of honor, you need to take care of the girl.

“I’ll do it now, sir!

The general hastily left the duty room, and on watch, telephoned His Majesty’s garage, and then called the messenger.

Orlov remembered that back in 1906 another event was important for the history of the Russian Palace Department: His Imperial Majesty’s own garage was created. 30 drivers, 30 soapers, 30 mechanics served in the imperial garage. During the trips of Nicholas II to rest in Yalta, the management of the garage accompanied him with his families.

— Here, Gregory, you will go to the Palace Telegraph now, you will personally see that the telegraph operator would beat off the message, but you will take the answer from him that the telegrams have been received. Did you understand?

— And how not to understand, Your Excellency! I know where the telephone exchange is located, St. Petersburg Avenue, house 46, Truveller’s house!

“Well done! So, you telephone the addressees and duplicate the telegram. That’s it, go!

Vestova famously trumped the boss, and went down the stairs of the entrance. And after a couple of minutes the car drove up. Orlov took a silver cigarette case out of his pocket and armed himself with a cigarette. You could calmly smoke, and take a walk in the park, enjoy the cool night.

Vestovoy returned a couple of minutes later, the general took the execution paper, and went into the king’s chambers. The sovereign calmly awaited the arrival of his adjutant wing.

— So, Orlov?

— Everything is fulfilled, Your Majesty! — and held out the paper.

— You see how well you did that you listened to Votre Inspiration. You made two people happy, — said Nikolai, — now, we can rest. Do not hesitate, the Lord will repay us for our leniency to those who ask for leniency.

***

The adjutant wing again returned to the emperor’s chambers. He was very uncomfortable again to tear off the valet from sleep, and the general decided to wait. It was already going on by eight o’clock. True, it was possible to turn to the general on duty, but then the valet came out, as if listening to his thoughts.

— Your Excellency, — this devoted employee of the Palace addressed him, — the Sovereign does not sleep. You can tell if something important happened.

— Urgent telegram received. He must hand it over personally, into his own hands. Please excuse the concern!

— Come on in.

The general returned to the room in which he had already been tonight. He was slightly embarrassed, and smiled with difficulty.

— Yes Orlov, the night turned out to be restless… — Nikolai himself hid a slight grin in his thick mustache and carefully groomed beard.

The ivory penknife instantly cut the gray paper of the message, the twine burst at once, and cardboard with a telegram pasted on it appeared on the table. Nikolai grinned a little, seeing the sender’s address.

— But… ‘he muttered, immersed in the reading.

Count Orlov stood opposite the sovereign, expecting him to let him go. A couple of minutes later, Nikolai extended a message to his wing-adjutant.

— Read and you, Orlov… It is not clear who sent this, and it looks more like a joke. Sit down, there’s the chair next to it.

The adjutant wing sat at the table, moved the telegram to itself. He began to read:

“Wagran Station, 12.10am. Telegraph operator Timofeev. On June 17, 1908, an explosion of 20 million tons of trinitrotolluol will occur over the underground Tunguska. This will be proof of our power, and readiness to use such weapons again, but for our protection. We demand not to visit some areas of Novaya Zemlya Island… sowing. latitude… east longitude and the Ural range… sowing. latitude and… east. longitude. This is just a warning.”

— Very strange, indeed, reminiscent of a strange joke, sovereign. But, there is nothing easier than checking. Give instructions to the gendarmes of the Perm province to check this Timofeev, and who was on the telegraph key at that time.

— undoubtedly. Quite a smart proposal. But, while no one should know about it, Orlov! You remember that this is the second dispatch of this content. The first was sent, if I’m not mistaken, on the second of May?

“That’s right, Your Majesty. Yes, it looked incomprehensible. So they did not attach importance to the incident.

— Now we need to figure it out. And, I was informed that the French are going to send an expedition to Novaya Zemlya. The ship has already left. What do they want to find there? Do not find it all too… suspicious?

— Sovereign…

Nikolai Alexandrovich quickly wrote an order, and an order for General Gerasimov. General Alexander Vasilievich Gerasimov, headed, and very successfully, since 1905, the St. Petersburg security department, and in his power it was quickly to establish the truth in this matter.

CHAPTER 3 Wagran Station

On the clean, recently washed glass of the window, two mosquitoes fussed in vain, poking their long noses into the thick glass. But they don’t understand that, the creatures are stupid, that the window is clean, recently washed, and his wife, Efrosinya Ivanovna, worked on it herself. Just sighed a man sitting opposite, at his desk, in a strict uniform, and did not beat the villains with an already folded old newspaper. Not that I regretted the good living creatures, but I thought about the window cleanliness.

And everything would be fine, but at the same time the ungrateful creatures buzzed disgustingly, acting on his exhausted nerves. And Fedor had a terrible headache since the night. He was in the service, here at Wagran station post office. And then, despite the early time, in business. They did not give a rest here. An hour ago, a telegram came from St. Petersburg, and not easy, but encrypted. You can’t read this one. He sealed it, as it should be, but sent it with the boy as a peddler, Petka Ivanov, and now, nevertheless, he went to the drunken samovar, and gladly poured boiling water into a glass with a cup holder. Then the brews from a small teapot, and there, from the bedside table, as if by itself, a crumpet appeared. It was necessary to correct the strength! So, I ate, immediately and easier… I put a statement in front of me, you never know what, but he, in business… And then, the front door slammed, and again, from a loud sound, my head ached mercilessly.

— And, Fedor Ivanovich, only you and remembered! said the gentleman who came in.

Here Trofimov jumped up from his chair and adjusted his cap. And then, not a simple person came, but a gendarme captain, a great power in their area. Artemizov himself Nikolai Fokich, in his own person, deigned to come here early.

— Your nobility, what do you owe? We do not violate everything as it should! When serving, day and night!

— Yeah… — Artemizov dissected thoughtfully and sat down opposite the pillar telegraph operator, — here, Mr. Trofimov, an order came from the capital to deal with your jokes. You, mischievous, sent — and he looked into the paper — a telegram to the Highest Name at midnight, consider today. And who advised you, or decided it himself?

— Yes I.. Your nobility… Yes, I could not decide on this… I’m only for business needs!

— Come on, answer faster. And then instantly they will fire you from service, you will collect cones in the forest! — and slapped his palm on the table — maybe he was drunk? — and already looked compassionately at the employee of the post office, — it happens with everything. And the bosses are kind, they will forgive you for the first time.

Trofimov feverishly recalled this night and last day. No, and what things I did with the housework, so I chopped wood, but there was no vodka, for sure… He sweated all over, began to frantically wipe his forehead with a handkerchief, dropped it a couple of times, but, as if not understanding, only shrugged.

— Yes, I did not drink… Exactly, not half a glass…

— Okay, — the captain looked at once, — or maybe who else was? Or your sons, mischievous?

— No, they don’t know how. Exactly, no one could, your nobility.

— Well, Trofimov, so you sent. Who else, think for yourself? Or did other people sit on your key?

The poor telegraph operator did not know what to answer. So true because his nobility says, no one could send a telegram except him…

— So I… What to do, let them fire, expel a person if they have no conscience…

— You’re good, stupid head… Here, write… I was drunk, it happened by chance. I vouch to you, everything will cost…

I thought for a minute Trofimov, but understood that it was impossible to arrange everything better. You have to lie. Or even really, they will be fired after all, but you won’t find another service here for a hundred miles…

— Exactly, Nikolay Fokich, so everything was… Not from evil…

The captain simply beamed at such words, moved a piece of paper and a steel pen to the telegraph operator.

Trofimov immediately repulsed the telegram, and Artemizov left the post office.

The gendarme officer was very pleased with himself, such a job done. And then, it was done, and now his fishing was waiting, for which he had already prepared in the morning. Indeed, their places are deaf, there are no theaters for you, but hunting and fishing for divo were good. So the captain thought, looking around the railway station. Well, how to say the station? Platform and a couple of buildings nearby, however, God’s sin to anger, trains came to them twice a day.

But another, worse thing came to mind. And what, as it was a slander against him. Say, Artemizov began to take bribes, he is not on duty as he should, he does not catch villains on the track, but robbs unfortunate townsfolk! Here the gendarme captain himself sweated. How did you not immediately guess? But he could, Trofimov… He could… After all, in winter, I remember, he punished him for the mess, and he could remember…

“Good evening, your nobility! ‘he heard suddenly the voice of a trading grandmother.

He walked, and behind his thoughts he did not notice Praskovya Kuzminichna, he even scolded himself. Mentally, of course, not out loud. She was a very important and necessary person here, replacing fillers, which, however, the gendarme captain did not have here. And my grandmother, she saw and heard everything, and loved to report on everything that happened at Vagran station. The most important, state, was, in general, a person!

— And hello to you, Kuzminichna! How, pies, disassemble? said the gendarme officer hastily.

— So the train will arrive in half an hour, and I expect it. So, good people will come up, they will want to have a snack from the road, and I have everything ready, and with berries, and now, with hares, and even with fish. I suppose people are all cultural, and not such that they would go around at night…

— What? — Artemizov just dumbfounded at once, — who was here last night? Speak, speak, Kuzminichna, — and the captain removed two silver fifty dollars from his pocket and put it in front of the woman.

People here were old school, and paper money did not hurt. Immediately tried to change credit tickets for much more tangible silver, or even gold coins. Therefore, the gendarme captain hoped more for the effect of silver coins. Indeed, I was not mistaken. Well, not exactly…

— On the ruble you, read, almost half of everything is due, — the merchant whispered anxiously, putting the goods in rolls of brown paper, — here, eat to your health! Good pies, fresh, just baked today!

— Thank you, Kuzminichna. We sing, and Marya Vasilyevna and I have enough for lunch. Your wife has been bowing to you for a long time!

— Oh, my God, Nikolay Fokich! I am very grateful! And then, what kind of people are angry, sometimes, of course… So at first I thought that it was not a local… And he, a lanky fisherman, Mishka, looks here. And he, at night at the post office and came, exactly! And what is surprising is not alone, but with a woman, seemingly not old, high and cool. I remember it firmly… I still looked through the window, what was being done there… So this woman, something to the telegraph operator, and he got down to business. Bear, as she snorts at me with her icy eyes, I’m already stunned! And Fedka, well, Fedor Ivanovich, worked everything, knocked on his apparatus. I ran away, of course. Although he asked to bring him a couple of pies, but I forgot, apparently, — the merchant said slightly confusedly, — as Mishka left with the woman, I waited a little, and I went in. And the telegraph operator looked at me, but asked who she was, and why she came, as if she did not know. Here it is…

— Don’t think bad. — answered the gendarme, — See, Fedor Ivanovich earned, tired a little… This is the case. Well, I’ll go. And thanks for the pies!

The captain simply beamed at such words, moved a piece of paper and a steel pen to the telegraph operator.

Trofimov immediately repulsed the telegram, and Artemizov left the post office.

The gendarme officer was very pleased with himself, such a job done. And then, it was done, and now his fishing was waiting, for which he had already prepared in the morning. Indeed, their places are deaf, there are no theaters for you, but hunting and fishing for divo were good. So the captain thought, looking around the railway station. Well, how to say the station? Platform and a couple of buildings nearby, however, God’s sin to anger, trains came to them twice a day.

But another, worse thing came to mind. And what, as it was a slander against him. Say, Artemizov began to take bribes, he is not on duty as he should, he does not catch villains on the track, but robbs unfortunate townsfolk! Here the gendarme captain himself sweated. How did you not immediately guess? But he could, Trofimov… He could… After all, in winter, I remember, he punished him for the mess, and he could remember…

— Good evening, your nobility! ‘he heard suddenly the voice of a trading grandmother.

He walked, and behind his thoughts he did not notice Praskovya Kuzminichna, he even scolded himself. Mentally, of course, not out loud. She was a very important and necessary person here, replacing fillers, which, however, the gendarme captain did not have here.

CHAPTER 4 House of the Gendarme Captain

“This is how it turns out,” the gendarme officer thought to himself, “a night guest came to Trofimov, about whom he did not mention. And, for sure, he worked on the key, as Kuzminichna showed. That means it’s good, and I didn’t deceive the bosses. The telegraph operator sent a dispatch, that’s for sure. Everything turned out in time.”

While the point is, the captain got to his house. Well, not quite his own, but the official one given to him from the treasury. And all one thing, he liked this shelter. A cozy house, on a stone basement, two floors, cool and beautiful, upholstered in shingles for warmth and plastered. It looked like a real brick, it was painted in an elegant light green color, under the iron roof painted with meerik.

— Nikolay Fokich, good day! said the janitor.

Ermolai Panteleimonovich Fedorov served as his janitor, but rather not served him, but this house. I was at this estate for ten years.

— Great, Yermolai. Is everything all right?

— So thank God, your nobility! — and the court again began to take revenge.

And there was order, and it was pleasing. And then, after all, it became boring in the estate, only their youngest, daughter Annushka, remained with them. The eldest son, Leonid, studied at a mining school in Perm, the middle Ivan, too, entered there last year. And the eldest daughter, Elena, was recently married, to a railway employee, too, now lives in Perm. In general, everything was good with Nikolai Fokich, or no worse than others, as he sincerely believed.

Artemizov went into the house, where on the first floor, at the farm, Taisya Ilyinichna, their cook, ordered. Then Nikolai Fokich modestly coughed while a responsible and strict woman acted as a priest with a samovar. She turned, making a strict face, but noticing who it was, she immediately smiled.

— Ah, Nikolai Fokich! And I thought, again, Yermoshka worries.

And then, the cook was a woman of the old rules, and adored detailed men, and best of all, of course, the military. The captain noticed with what approval she looked at his uniform with shiny buttons.

— Here, Taisya Ilyinichna, tell Glafira what to serve pies for tea.

— So not otherwise from Kuzminichna took? — she shook her head condemningly, — yes, in our house flour is sieve…

— Nothing, people eat, and we will try.

— Well, in ten minutes the samovar will boil.

— Thank you, Taisya Ilyinichna.

And the owner of the house slowly climbed the stairs to the master’s part of the house. He went into the living room, sat down in a chair. Hearing the steps, Marya Vasilievna, his wife, also came here. Artemizov stood up, greeting his beloved woman, she smiled back. Marya Vasilievna in her forty-two years, as before, was pretty, sweet and friendly, and Artemizov did not regret his choice of wife.

— Now we will drink tea, with pies, — he said.

— So good, — the woman answered, sitting down nearby, — and Annushka will come.

“What is she?”

“Reads everything. It doesn’t hurt to embroider. Although, you, I made a shirt on a typewriter. But, this is so, in secret. He will give an angel for the day.

“The hostess is growing,” the captain smiled rather.

But then, interrupting their conversations, Glafira entered the room with a samovar, and then she accepted a wooden dish with pies. Then she arranged cups of simple service, ordinary white faience.

— Glafira, call your daughter, be kind. And, you can go.

— Now, Marya Vasilievna.

The maid left, and the mistress of the house personally began to pour tea into cups. It turned out all cute and pleasant, reassured Artemizov. No, of course, he heard about Chinese tea ceremonies, yes, as he believed, they, in the Urals, probably no worse, or even better. And tastier tea with pies.

— Daddy, mom, — said the daughter who ran into the living room.

Artemizov sighed condemningly. Why run? It was time for my daughter to walk slowly, like a decently young young lady. And then, braid to the waist, and all running. Although Annushka grew up pretty and caring, she pleased her father. And surprisingly she was wearing this simple brown dress, and a large bow of the same tone, adorning her braid.

— Oh, pies! And they smell delicious! ‘she chirped.

— Here, eat, — and Maria moved a full cup on a saucer to her daughter

Then, Nikolai Fokich got tea, and Marya Vasilievna herself gave herself a drink. Artemizov slowly, and at first carefully began to taste Kuzminichna’s cooking. No, for sure, she knew some secret or she gave birth there, but the pies were amazingly good, which is directly impossible for even a well-fed person to come off. Everyone ate with pleasure. Annushka even defeated as many as three pies, then drank tea decorously. It is clear that the girl read about different diets there, she took care of the figure. Well, Artemizov himself ate about a dozen, and decided to stop, for now, at least. Marya Vasilievna did not eat a lot, she put everything on her spouse. But now, the meal was over, Anna kissed her mother and father and went to her place.

— Well, I have to go… — said Nikolai Fokich, — service. We also need to go to the fishermen, and to Andronovka, we should look at the Old Believer.

— You would have taken Timothy and Peter with you. Everything is calmer, — said the woman, — there is nothing for everyone to drag around distant places.

— Nothing, I’m not old yet…

And Artemizov went to the stable. The officer habitually saddled his stallion, Cowry Chestnut, led under the bridle into the yard. Here the wife saw off, skillfully put the pack with the edible to the saddle. The captain, as it seemed to him, famously sat down on horseback, kissed Marya Vasilievna, and sent a stallion with a step. There was no hurry yet. And on the outskirts, drove a leisurely trot, since it was about Andronovka for five miles, or a little more.

CHAPTER 5 Strange fisherman and revolver with bent barrel

The horse walked along the forest road well, dexterously. Well, Artemizov himself was a noble horse, accustomed to long trips. And what is there for him these five miles, so, a short walk. I didn’t go with a simple one, I had to look at this Mikhail, at the late guest of the telegraph operator Trofimov. There seemed to be no suspicion, only the inner voice was so nasty that it would not be bad to talk to such a person. Everything was strange, incomprehensible. Well, if Mikhaila disappeared in Andronovka, then I followed to talk about this man with the headman of this village.

Soon he was on the outskirts of this village. Yes, he looked rich and well-groomed. The houses were all big and good, two floors, of huge logs. Whimsically decorated with carved boards and pillars, and the wickets and gates are just a sight for sight, the eyes could not be torn off. The children played by the road, and the captain drove up to them.

— good afternoon. Do not lead to the headman? To Harlampiy Lukic?

— And what, badly needed? asked the gloomy guy, frowning whitish eyebrows, — without him in any way?

An ordinary-looking country boy, in simple gray ports and the same shirt. Barefoot, but with kartuz, the former is obviously a source of his pride.

— What’s your name, man?

— Andrey Petrovich…

— And me Nikolay Fokich. Service, this is the case. It is very necessary for state needs.

— So let’s try, of course, — the boy said decorously.

True, Artemizov noticed how one of the mischievous people rushed, flashing his heels, to houses outside the outskirts. Well, yes, this was not a curiosity to the captain. The messenger ran to warn the headman that they say, a stranger, an unkind person showed up in their places.

The Old Believers of the gendarmes did not hurt. And the police. And in general, representatives of the authorities, every single one. Well, in Russia, in general, the authorities did not favor, but in Siberia so especially, and Artemizov has long been accustomed to this. Actually, people from the authorities did not see anything good, and never counted. Therefore, they did not want to know her, and tried not to have any business with her, if possible, of course.

So the gendarme captain went further to those houses where the boy ran. Artemiov was not too worried, he knew that all one would deal with this matter. Two Old Believers passed by, with water from the well. The girls are prominent, only gloomy and unsmiling, hiding their faces from someone else’s person. Well, soon, the long-awaited headman came out to meet with two strong-looking fellows. Here, out of politeness, Artemizov left the saddle, led the horse about.

— Ah, your nobility! — deliberately greeted the headman cordially.

— And I am glad to you, Harlampy Lukich,” the gendarme replied.

He was actually honestly glad to see this man. He knew how to do everything decently, so that conflicts would not arise between Old Believers and immigrants.

A lot of workers came from Perm here to work, and, of course, anything happened.

— What led to us?” Maybe you want honey? We are amazingly good!

— No, the headman… I can’t have a lot of sweets, doctors don’t tell me. Are you all trading? We bought a lot of things, I know… And why do you, Harlampy, a set of chemical glassware made of heat-resistant glass? Surely moonshine in the usual does not work? Or does it taste bad?

He knew that the Old Believers did not drink, but screwed up such a barb of genre, could not restrain himself. But, it was strange that these residents bought in the village. If there were guns, or what gear, or at least gramophones. No, gramophones bought of course, as many as five. And a piano, which simply amazed his imagination. Bicycles, however, were also bought. And I did not notice that at least one of the locals would ride them.

— You’re joking, Nikolay Fokich. We take something of course, so artfully, for ourselves. Kids to school, for lessons.

— Children, of course, God’s work… And are you going to spend the phone in the village? Even in Perm, the wire was bought, four Ericsson devices.

— why? Did I break the law? So we are not terrorists with revolvers, we don’t run around stations, we don’t blow up bombs, “the headman began to get angry.

— Yes, I wanted to talk about something else, do not be angry with me, Kharlampiy. I heard about one fisherman, Mikhaila. Nodo would talk to him. He is some kind of strange… And he is not local. Did you hear, not far from him?

Artemizov prudently conducted this conversation, in which every word was important. He deliberately provoked the headman, wanted to probe the reaction of the interlocutor. It was necessary to move the Old Believer in the right direction. This, like a heavy barrel to roll, is difficult and difficult only to put on the edge, and then, it goes easily, read, it rolls itself… I saw that the headman was a little flushed, he began to get angry, out, put his pood fists in front of him, ready to rush into battle, but take care…

— It is not worth it, your nobility, to disturb a good person. He is not violent, but has been living here for a very long time. Sensible and kind person. All I can say.

“Where can I find him, Harlampy?”

The headman squinted his eyes, as if he wanted to refuse, but scratched his beard, smiled, and said calmly.

“So by the river, if he’s fishing. Himself comes to us if he needs. You, your nobility, would not go there… After all, this is the case… It is better when Mikhailo comes to us himself, then you can talk. He does not like guests…

— Well, I’ll drive… And you, Harlampy, did not see a tall woman with him, sweet, under forty years old? And then people say, not one he walks here?

The headman was barely on the log lying next to him, his foot was missing. It can be seen that he did not even regret new boots. And then, upset, annoyed, apparently, Kharlampiy. And Artemizov was glad for himself, and for reading Mr. Koshko’s explanatory book on interrogations and their psychological component. And then, the gentlemen of the British say correctly:" Knowledge is Power.”

***

“No, of course, the forests here are beautiful, the meadows there and so on,” Nikolai Fokich thought to himself, “but only mosquitoes, downright ill-mannered,” he sighed and began to swing the twig even more, “as it were, it would be very good, without the vileness of this nasty. And the horse, too, is angry.”

So indeed, his Chestnut began to wave his tail much more energetically, and Artemizov got a couple of times quite decently on the back from the horse.

— Er, do not spoil! — Nikolay Fokich barked, otherwise I will lead you alive!

The horse seemed to understand what they were saying, mowed his eye on the saddle, and walked along the path in the forest more quickly. Not a trot, of course, but with a quick step — that’s for sure. Here Artemizov noticed a hut, perfectly hidden among large pines. At first glance, you will not notice this, and from the second too. It was just that the captain expected to find cover for the fisherman, and was very attentive to the little things.

Artemisov dismounted, and tied the occasion of Chestnut to a large branch, so conveniently hanging from a tree. The forest was not particularly dense, but quite so impressive and solid, and this pine, to which he put his horse, stood out even among these giant trees. He kept his hand in the pocket of his breeches, without releasing the handle of the revolver. The fire burned barely, but was not extinguished, which means that the owner was very close. And, what a miracle, there were two folding Swiss bicycles, just indicated in the delivery list found at the station. That is, Kharlampiy bought everything for Mikhail? These people can pay, but they do not want to receive the goods themselves, and need an intermediary… An interesting combination loomed, the gendarme was seriously intrigued.

— Hey, Michael! — suddenly shouted the captain, come out, — we need to talk!

Artemizov decided that it was the smartest thing to do, to show that he had come without hiding. Without those wacky hide-and-seek games. I took a couple of steps to the hut, and suddenly I heard an unfamiliar voice behind my back.

“Well, here I am. So are you captain Artemizov or something?

The gendarme turned sharply in his heels after hearing this appeal. To say what was surprised is to say nothing. He did not hear how they approached him, and not a single dry twig on the ground rustled, creaked. And here, not one person, but two stood in front of him. A young tall guy, and a beautiful woman, about thirty years old, no more. They were usually dressed for those living in these places, and not really. The shoes were very striking. English boots for travelers were rare even in Perm, their price was considerable. Well, so, something is not important. I didn’t immediately understand such trifles. Well, little things? Gold necklaces, no less than a pound in three weights, adorned the necks of both. And made, as I managed to notice, an amazing master. Figures of people, deer, griffins. The work was not a simple village craftsman, not a crooked bush, but a perfectly executed plan of a true master.

“So he is. — answered the gendarme, — Nikolai Fokich Artemizov, captain of the Gendarme administration. Who will you be?

— So we are local people, we have lived here for a long time. They call me Mikloy, and my mother Digna.

The woman looked strangely at this tall guy, then smiled at his words.

— And what, dissimilar? she said, and looked up.

— The opposite, and very much so. Maybe we’ll sit at the light? I have pies with me. Treat tea?

— So a decoction of Ivan tea, Nikolai Fokich, only he. But, do not drive you from here? Let’s talk! If such a need, — answered the woman.

Then the captain was surprised. Folding aluminum seats brought from a hut appeared, a newfangled thing among wealthy tourists. Mugs of the same metal, bowls and spoons.. The fisherman laid out a cleverly made folding table too.

“I did it myself,” Mikla boasted, “according to a foreign magazine.

And the woman took out a steel thermos, and as if it were not for the first time, she busily poured coffee into mugs.

“I’m out of Ivan tea. Such a thing, — grinned Digna.

They ate the pies brought by Artemizov with them. People, so, looked a little unusual if you look too long. Among other things, the fisherman had a brand new Omega on his wrist. Such a family is quite poor here. The captain would not be surprised at such a split if there was a brand new Indian motorcycle in the distant bushes, instead of bicycles.

“No, kind man,” Digna said suddenly, “we don’t have a motorcycle. Bicycles only. True, Mikla wants to buy everything, but I do not allow it. Why? We have enough funds, we have the right…

Artemizov heard something about a family of industrialists who lived remotely from everyone. They say they live, people are not touched, but no one is allowed to visit them. And the letters of already Alexei Mikhailovich confirmed their possession, well, the gendarme did not really believe in this. You never know what people come up with.

— Yes, in another business. What are you yourself, do not order goods, do you burden Harlampia? Surely you yourself cannot receive cargo at the station?

— So busy very. We work, everything is in care, — answered Mikla, — and not close. Reluctance to go far.

“Why won’t your son marry?” And smart, and has the means. The groom is enviable.

— I haven’t looked after it yet… Won’t you refuse your daughter? — the woman said with care in her voice.

And Artemizov already grabbed the gates of his uniform, and the officer’s cap almost fell off his head. How, daughter for such a giant?

— Digna! Mikla said loudly and suddenly jumped up, — what are you! And Ilda?

— Who is Ilda? ‘the captain perked up.

“Yes, his bride. That’s all, it doesn’t work out. It doesn’t go well with them. But, the case is young…

— It is of course, — Artemizov agreed with relief.

“Here we are. Isn’t it time for you, your nobility? ‘the woman asked.

— Yes, I have a very important question… You went to the post office at night, to the telegraph operator. He sent a message there, I went to sort it out. And so, what a hobby, kind people, — and looked mockingly at new acquaintances, — Kuzminichna, the merchant saw you, and Trofimov himself, the telegraph operator, insists that there was no one. And his head hurts a lot. What happened there?

— Will pass, will not fall off! — and Mikla barely managed to remove his head, like Digna’s hard palm, instead of his head hitting the back.

— Here, do not bury yourself! Digna added, you never know what. — I already spoke with the gendarme, — We entered and entered. It was necessary. Mail, she, tea, works for everyone.

— So Trofimov then conveyed a message to St. Petersburg to the highest name. And very strange, I must say. It turns out that you ordered the telegraph operator to do this. You will go with me to Vagran to find out. I will make a confrontation with Trofimov, but with grandmother Kuzminichnaya. They will identify you, so you will go to prison. Pack up!

“We won’t go. It’s good for us here too, “the woman replied, showing with all her appearance that she was not going to obey.

Artemizov jerked, as it seemed to him instantly, pulled out a revolver from his halife pocket. Only suddenly he felt Mikla’s hand on his wrist. and then, witnessed an unprecedented attraction: Mikla squeezed the barrel of a revolver with one left, but bent it up at ninety degrees. Gun steel now looked more like the spout of a ridiculous water tap.

— Let me tear off his head! Mikla said quietly.

With such force, after all, he could tear it off, as an experienced servant estimated. The captain reached for his checker, hanging on his left side. True, for some reason he knew that he would not have time to take up arms. I thought that, right, now he will not meet with Marya Vasilyevna da Anechka…

— It hurts you sharp and quick, your nobility! — Digna also spoke out, at once being next to the gendarme captain, — nothing, and you will still see your wife and daughter… You will only sleep a little, change your mind, here…

He only had time to feel the woman’s index finger burning his forehead, and her icy eyes seemed to penetrate his very gut. And the darkness stood before my eyes.

***

— What will we do? said the young man a little capriciously.

He looked at the gendarme sitting on the chair, and looked at the fire, as if frozen now or frozen.

— Nothing. Now you will put him in the saddle, but you will take him to the village, to the headman. There the gendarme will lie down for a couple of days, and he will wake up. Why kill a good person in vain? He can still be useful to us.

— Painfully loves to climb into other people’s affairs… Mikla muttered, why did he go here? Far after all.

— Okay… And himself, why did you buy so much different kind? Everyone can see, moreover, at first glance, that you are an unusual fisherman? Next time we’ll dress easier. And you can do without your piano.

— It’s more convenient, and you like it. And I don’t like to wear boots at all. Uncomfortable in them! And such shoes and clothes will be better!

“Nothing, not for the first time,” the woman said conciliatively, “but, take the officer. Absolutely. Yes, and warn residents so that on June 17, especially from the houses, and the windows were covered with shutters. Did you do everything exactly as you decided?

— Far more accurate. Everything is done in the best possible way. Everything is collected, the clockwork is working. I didn’t run there, I flew. Quickly turned around! ‘he boasted.

— Oh, I hope… If only I didn’t go too far. Go ahead and I’ll clean it up. There is not much time left. And you will catch me at the mountain spur in the evening. I’ll take my bikes with me.

And Mikla just nodded back. The bent revolver put in the officer’s pocket, brought the horse closer, obeying him better than the obedient dog. The burly stallion stood at attention, only nodding his head, and waving his tail. The fisherman grabbed the captain’s belt with both hands, put him in the saddle, inserted his legs into the stirrups, and tied him with a tarpaulin belt to the saddle for reliability. Then, taking up the occasion, he led the horse with a saddle along the path away from the river, to the village of the Old Believers.

CHAPTER 6 A monstrous explosion in the East

His head ached painfully, as if it were going to burst, poor Nikolai Fokich grabbed the whiskey with both hands, and squeezed them tightly. It helped, but so, not that very much. True, the pulsating pain seemed to have subsided, but now it was breaking in the crown of the head, but so, not very much, tolerant. He looked at himself, and was surprised, after all, he was lying in one underwear. Scared, to be honest. What, undress him? Drunk? But no, I noticed a hanger on which his uniform, cap, and even a checker were in perfect order. And the cleaned boots stood nearby, as if waiting for their owner. Tried to remember how I got here? And he could not concentrate, everything blurred before his eyes, I wanted to fall asleep again. But then the door to the room slammed, and the headman appeared on the threshold, so Artemizov remembered him well.

— Oh, good afternoon, Nikolay Fokich! How did you rest with us? The place is good, the guest house, no one will disturb. Sleep, here, and the bed is good, on springs, and the mattress is great! Harlampius praised this abode, as if it contained it like a hotel.

— What happened to me? asked the captain incredulously.

Yes, he wanted to know what was the matter, he was simply obliged. Better the worst than doubting.

— That’s okay, your nobility. That’s right, they got tired. We sat down here, nearby, at the house, but fell asleep. And we, forgive us, carried to the bed. You slept here for two days. And we didn’t bother you. And now they will bring tea, with pies. Forces, you look, will return to you.

— I have to go. At home, right, they were already waiting.

— Don’t, Nikolay Fokich. You need to relax, come to your senses — and the headman somehow looked strangely at the guest, and then at the walkers, the floor clock that stood in the corner of the room.

And something else… The windows in the room were covered with shutters, the light, albeit dim, came from two kerosene lamps.

— I’ll dress for now… said the captain quietly.

“I’ll wait. And they will bring you food, — the headman repeated, — you will have to wait a little, you don’t worry. Not for long…

Kharlampiy came out, and Artemizov carefully sat on the edge of the bed, putting and feeling with his feet the rug of the wooden floor. Immediately relieved from the heart. I felt with my fingers that he was a little stiff and prickly, and that was good. This means that it was not a blow that came to him, his legs were not taken away, and he lay off from his heart, calmed down at once. Quickly dressed, did not forget about the belts with a checker. I felt more confident. But, something was in the way in my pocket. He pulled out a revolver by the hilt, with a broken, or rather, bent barrel, as if it were not made of steel, but of soft plasticine. He frowned, trying to remember how it came out, but he couldn’t. He sighed, and hid the revolver, which became only an amusing thing, but not a weapon.

A girl entered the room, with her face wrapped in a scarf, so that only her eyes were visible. I quickly put a tray on which there were pies beautifully laid out on a wooden dish. Then she brought a berry vovar. Indeed, he sensed how he had become hungry in two or three days, which had passed since the evening of the fourteenth. And today, already the seventeenth, soon, after all, and Trinity, the captain thought, biting off another piece of this delicacy. Berry were good, very good. Eat, and it is impossible to reject, as if you had not eaten for a long time.

And then the house shook a lot. So, as if the earth began to come to life, but stretched out from a long dream. There was a lot of screaming outside. Artemizov, without thinking too much, jumped out into the yard, his weakness, as if with his hand removed.

He ran down the stairs, ended up on the street, and saw how the entire eastern part of the sky was covered with black clouds, through which like fire blazed. Dogs howled wildly, one chicken, cackling loudly, ran past, and hid in nettles near the fence. You could hear cows moo invitingly, causing even greater longing. Fear seemed to squeeze the heart of the captain, it was difficult to breathe, he looked around, thinking that it would be nice to be at home now. Next to Masha and Anechka.

— Why, your nobility?” You can’t stand on the street, now, — calmly and somehow sadly said the approaching Kharlampiy, — you know how far it exploded… And now we will go and eat… Soon it will rain, so it’s not very useful for people. Let’s go, let’s go your nobility… Here, good people preempted me, but we have all the windows intact, nothing is beaten…

— Did you know that?” So why is this?

— There was nothing to hurt them. They do not show their strength in vain, — the headman said bitterly in his voice, — here, look again at what they did to your revolver. And they could tear you apart.

— So what, submit to them? — suddenly the captain howled.

— They don’t demand it. But, they can stand up for their own, — and showed with his hand up.

Artemizov once again looked at the terrible sky, nodded, and quickly went after the headman, back to the house. I just thought, what about there, far in the east, where this horror happened?

***

The hunters slowly shifted their prey, already prepared for sale sable skins. It turned out well, and both were happy with their luck.

— But I have to leave today. Shaman without you came, warned. Say, we must leave here fifty miles south, not that it will be bad, — the young guy carefully said, — everything will burn here, … Like, the Ancients warned him…

— Ivan, understand… Where can we go? But what about mining? Really quit everything? And who he is, think for yourself, not to read.

— So the locals say that Temenchak with spirits says… It heals people, and it treats you, Stepan, with herbs, you recovered because…

— Eh, don’t believe in this damn thing. Everything will be fine, calm down. Tomorrow, we will go around the traps in the depths of the forest. We must collect everything, otherwise our good will disappear. It is important to earn money for the winter.

— In vain you are so… You need to take care… Maybe we’ll sit in the cellar, until tomorrow? And there, and we will bypass the traps…

I saw the elder that the assistant was really scared. Here, of course, I decided to cheer up the guy.

— Of course, Ivan. So we will do it. In the meantime, cook the porridge, so the kettle has already boiled. Get the brew out of the red tin.

The boy smiled, got up, went to the hut, scooped up a box with the inscription “montpassier” in a simple locker, and recalled what delicious multi-colored sweets were here. And then there was already a tiled pressed tea, so beloved by all Siberians.

“Here, more generous luggage,” chuckled the bearded hunter.

He spread the tea on enameled mugs, and poured boiling water, and covered the bowls on top so that the drink would be well infused. Everything seemed to succeed, starting the day quite well.

“Why did you push?” asked the bearded man suddenly, and turned round.

“It’s not me…” muttered Ivan.

Junior just froze with a plate in his hands. The hellish flash lit up the sky, much brighter than dozens of suns. Both covered their eyes, unable to bear such a force of light. Fiery flashes lit up the sky, and a terrifying explosion rang out, a terrible heat was felt, as if a huge fire was burning very close by. Another sun came on.

Ivan turned terribly pale, and pointed his finger up. There, rose and grew from the ground to this sun, a monstrous black mushroom, over the northern part of the immense taiga.

On both hunters, shirts began to smolder from the terrible heat, a stepan beard flashed, and hair. From the blast wave they were thrown to the porch of their hut, the table overturned along with the kettle and mugs, and the fire was flooded with water from the pot.

Ivan screamed here in terrible pain, huddled, holding his head. Stepan, kneeling, grabbed his leg and dragged him to the basement. Fortunately, the doors, and the iron lock, were also torn off by an explosion, and it flew off to the side, as if made of paper. Even the grass burned under their feet, but, however, fortunately, the roof of the hut, earthen, remained intact.

— Nothing, hold on, soaring… Stepka whispered, putting out his smoldering beard.

He carefully lowered the unconscious comrade down the steps, and laid him on the boardwalk. There was no water here, but there was vodka. Stepan moistened Ivan’s lips, he wrinkled his nose, but finally breathed.

— Nothing, now I will grease my face and hands with goose fat, everything will heal, — the hunter said quickly, breathlessly.

And then, Ivan’s face and hands turned red from the burn, and the seasoned man got down to business. Carefully, he began to cover his comrade’s burnt code with fat, then he also coated himself with everything. And then, it felt better right away. Then, swallowed from the flask, which would calm down. Still, it was cool and good here, and outside, the fire was raging. A strong wind raged, and then a downpour began, which seemed to be trying to extinguish, wash it all off the long-suffering earth.

— Are you alive, Stepan? Finally the boy spoke, covered with a blanket.

“Yes, I am alive, Vanya. Everything is ok… Cost, it seems… True, it was necessary to leave. But, all the booty is intact, here it is! — and he pointed to the chest, and opened the lid.

Indeed, the skins obtained with great difficulty were in place. And they shone in the light of a lit kerosene lamp.

The next day they decided to go, to boil this place. Scarb was bullied into dragging, both harnessed, but slowly pulled, took care of the injured, burned hands. It became even harder to go: there were a lot of dumped forests. Instead of nets by the river, they saw only a bunch of pebbles — sinkers. Excellent rich horsehair nets burned. Well, in their hut, even rye flour burned. Instead of a bag of flour, only a black stone remained, and there was a whole stump outside. Ivan poked him with a stick, and the stone, coal, took and broke. In the middle of it there was a little flour, and Ivan carefully poured it into a small bag.

— Enough to fill your ear on the road, — agreed Stepan, — well done, Vanya. Without bread, we will definitely disappear…

“We’ll get there now, for sure. Since we survived in such trouble, we cannot die.

It got colder, and again went a dull cold rain. But, there was no night, black clouds seemed to be illuminated from a height, the sky was red. And as if the night had passed, it was light, as if in the afternoon. So the hunters rushed to the tract, to the trading posts, further from the terrible place.

But when they approached the Chamba River, they were already very weak, fatigue crushed simply inexpressibly. Barely legs were rearranged. And around the hunters saw unprecedented and terrible. Taiga became as if not at all her own. The branches seemed to be cut from the trees, they stood as if bare, terrible, burnt, without bark. And so, a mile by ten. And the grass, all burned down, bare earth stood under the forests. And then, it began to go hard, the whole taiga fell into the ground, as if dropped it. Hunters hardly reached crowded places.

ГЛАВА 7 Сохранить тайну

n the morning, even before tea, the sovereign calmly and slowly read the telegram. I was in no hurry, as if trying to remember every word. The duty general of the General Staff Kondzerevsky, who was invited to Alexandria yesterday, was also sitting nearby. A detailed map of the Russian Empire was laid out on the table

Kondzerovsky, Peter Konstantinovich. From October 21, 1899 until he served in the General Staff: the acting head of the capital (from 21.10.1899), then the junior clerk of the office of the Military Scientific Committee (from 4.12.1901), the head of the 4th (from 4.12.1902) and 14th (from 1.5.1903) departments, member of the Economic Committee (3.2.1905—21.12.1906), head of the department (from 3.12.1904), acting assistant to the duty general (with 14.10.1907). And more recently, on 4.6.1908, he was appointed duty general of the General Staff. So, the sovereign considered it necessary to inform the Intelligence Directorate of the General Staff.

— Here, Orlov and another report… Your messenger delivered? Today we have, the seventeenth of June?

“So it is, Your Majesty.

The general stood before the emperor. He noticed that he was worried, and reached for the cigarette holder. He reached for the telephone, but removed his hand, and touched his forehead with his fingers.

“It turned out as promised in that telegram dated the fourteenth of this year. And, I read the report from the Irkutsk Observatory, look for yourself, they write this:

“About a thousand eyewitnesses told the Irkutsk observatory that a sparkling body swept across the sky, leaving a bright trail behind it. In the area of Podkamennaya Tunguska, a ball flashed over the taiga much brighter than the sun. A blind girl from the Vanavar trading post saw the light of day for the only moment in her life. The pillar of fire soared into the cloudless sky. Black smoke rose up the crimson rod and broke into a blue mushroom cloud.”

— Another report from the station of the Trassibirsk Railway, from the head of the Einberg station:

“On the morning of June 17, at the beginning of the 9th hour, we had some unusual phenomenon of nature. In the village of Nizhne-Karelinsky (verst 200 from Kirensk to the north), the peasants saw in the northwest, quite high above the horizon, some extremely strong (it was impossible to look) body glowing with white, bluish light, moving for 10 minutes from top to bottom. The body was presented in the form of a ‘pipe,’ that is, cylindrical. The sky was cloudless, only low above the horizon, in the same side in which the luminous body was observed, a small dark cloud was noticeable. It was hot, dry. Approaching the ground (forest), the shiny body seemed to spread, but in place of it a huge puff of black smoke formed and an extremely strong explosion was heard. All the buildings were shaking. At the same time, an indefinite flame began to burst out of the cloud. All the inhabitants of the village fled into the streets in panic fear, women cried, everyone thought that the end of the world was coming.”

— Not only this, but the earthquake began, — Nikolai continued, — after all this:

“The seismic wave was recorded by seismological stations in Irkutsk. At the Irkutsk Observatory (970 miles south of the forest collapse), the beginning of the earthquake was recorded at about 0:19 GMT. 2—3 minutes after the main explosion, magnetographs of the Irkutsk Observatory recorded a geomagnetic effect consisting in local disturbance of the geomagnetic field. The indignation continues to be non-monotonic.”

— What do you say, Pyotr Konstantinovich? Nikolai Alexandrovich asked.

“A terrifying show of force, sovereign. Fortunately, not a military attack. They promised a blow, a force of twenty million tons of TNT? They fulfilled the promise. As you can see from eyewitnesses, a certain cylindrical object was launched, which then exploded. Their demands?

— A ban on visiting a number of areas near Novaya Zemlya and in the Northern Urals. No other wishes were expressed.

— So, their wishes should be fulfilled, sovereign. Send an expedition to Tunguska to study this incident?

“They’re clearly warning that the area isn’t safe to visit. People can die. They let us know that it was a matter of radiant energy. And the charge also uses the terrifying power of radiant energy. It is claimed to be radium. But, this is not entirely clear.

— However, radium is incredibly expensive, — Kondzerevsky said thoughtfully, — apparently they have their own reserves of this element.

— For them, apparently, everything is possible. Further, — Nikolai Alexandrovich said slightly thinking, — soon, and very, some very influential gentlemen from European countries, and from North America, will turn to me with a request for an expedition to study this phenomenon. No doubt about it

— It is necessary to refuse, sovereign. Yes, actually, what to explore? — and Kondzerevsky chuckled — and so everything is clear. Huge force explosion.

He did not go unnoticed. And, it is clear that they will begin to suspect us of testing new weapons.

— It’s simple enough, sir. We will organize three directions — some authors in newspapers will argue that this is a comet. Others, that, meteorite. Well, the third, the most odious… There is an idea, I hope you approve, Your Majesty.

— Speak, Pyotr Konstantinovich. I’ll listen.

— There is a researcher, Nikolai Tesla, who lives in the North American states. Here, several authors in foreign newspapers will write that these are his mysterious experiments with atmospheric electricity. So to speak, an incedent occurred. The genius made a mistake, which led to an unexpected explosion.

“Quite reasonable. Of course, within the framework of everything that happened. I will allocate ten thousand of my personal funds for this. That will do?

— More than, for scribes from the tabloid newspapers of Paris and London, sovereign. Let’s create a splash from such news, and the waves themselves will disperse, without our participation. Free, but with benefits for the state.

— And yet… — Nikolai Aleksanlrovich looked at the general with concern, — we should also start mining radium. Still, the enemies can get ahead. I mean the German Empire. It is better to prepare in advance.

— It should be entrusted to Ryabushinsky Peter Sergeevich. An entrepreneur with ambition, no stranger to progress. His brother is passionate about aviation, and helps Professor Zhukovsky, began to build the Aero Hydrodynamic Laboratory at his own expense.

— What about secrecy, Pyotr Konstantinovich?

“I assure you he already knows. There are existing communication channels between the Old Believers. He was undoubtedly told everything. At least the most important thing. That there was an incredible explosion in the taiga, a terrible fire.

— True, there is a certain plan for this family… The Kamchatka expedition, equipped with Ryabushinsky’s money, is already working. For example, three people loyal to your majesty will deviate from the route and penetrate Podkamennaya Tunguska. These will be the military from the General Staff.. At the station… will receive a telegram, and follow to the place of explosion. To see for yourself what happened, it is advisable to take photographic pictures.

— Sensible plan, it’s possible and just arrange everything, sovereign.

— Then both you and your 14th department of the General Staff need to start tracking possible actions of foreign researchers in this direction, especially German ones. Yes, you are right, and information could easily reach the governments of foreign countries.

— Nothing, let’s take action. And beyond the borders, and within Russia, we will be able to create a veil of secrecy and let fog in this case. The inhabitants are not too meticulous, sovereign. Both in Russia and around the world. Especially if what happened does not concern them personally.

— Thank you, gentlemen! — Nikolai Alexandrovich spoke calmly and clearly, getting up, and making it clear that the hanging was over — everything was discussed. And I, right, are already expected by breakfast. So, please forgive me.

Two generals left the sovereign’s office.

***

In the evening of the next day, in his house, in Pavlovsk, Pyotr Konstantinovich calmly studied the reports that came from the northern and Siberian cities of Russia. A completely consistent, but such a difficult and terrible picture came out:

“There was an explosion of incomparable force. For four hundred miles, glass burst in the windows. Repeated rolls were heard for a thousand miles. Near the city of Kansk, eight hundred miles from the crash site, the engine driver stopped the train: it seemed to him that a car had exploded in its composition. At a distance of two hundred and fifty versts from the place of the explosion, the hurricane tore off the roofs from the houses, and fences fell for five hundred versts.

In distant cities, dishes rang in buffets, wall clocks stopped. Apparently, trees were felled in the area of the explosion on an area of almost 2,000 miles of ², a huge forest fire occurred, deafening thunderclaps were heard more than a thousand kilometers around. In settlements and gorals, window panes in houses were knocked out several hundred kilometers from the explosion site. A strong night glow of the sky is observed at night after this event in Central Siberia. At night, June 18, heavy, incessant rain poured. People are very scared, slouches about the imminent end of the world bloom. In a number of observatories, including Irkutsk, astronomers noted difficulties in observing due to a decrease in the transparency of the atmosphere, due to dust rising into high layers, probably several miles in height. In Europe, the European part of Russia and Western Siberia, unusual atmospheric phenomena were observed after the explosion: silver clouds, bright twilight, solar halos. From Britain, it was reported that on the night of June 17 (30), the sky over Bristol was abnormally bright in the north. In Paris, on the Black Sea and in the Alps, there were never seen white nights.

Seismological stations in Irkutsk, Tashkent, Tiflis and Jena (Germany) noted a shaking of the earth’s crust with an epicenter in the Podkamennaya Tunguska region. In London, barographers noted an air wave. She went around the globe twice.”

Kondzerevsky began to fill out a work journal. I also brought here a couple of pictures of white nights from Penza and Kostroma. He wrote for a long time. Then I felt that my eyes were tired, and it was necessary to bleed my head. According to this habit, I removed the record from the table in an iron box and the lock on the key. Then he took cigarettes and matches and went out into the street. But, I had to hide under the visor of the entrance.

The sky was covered with a thick layer of clouds, raining, and at the same time unusually light. So light that Kondzerevsky himself was surprised. He took out a notebook from his pocket, and was able to read his small handwriting quite freely in an open place. The moon could not be, but the clouds were somehow strangely illuminated by some kind of yellow-green, sometimes turning into pink dead light. The general just sighed, seeing all this with his own eyes. And what about there, at the epicenter of the explosion? And it was scary to imagine. Yes, it’s one thing when you read all this, and the other when you yourself see it in reality, as Kondzerevsky thought now.

It was necessary to think about all the same, about those who could be connected to the task designated by the state. Pyotr Konstantinovich carefully extinguished the cigarette, took out his notebook, and wrote down several names on a clean page. Then, thinking, he began to cross out one after another with a bold line, until almost in the center of the sheet there was only one entry:

Staff Captain Nikolai Petrovich Losunov, clerk of the Fourth Office, Part of the First Chief Quartermaster. Head — Nikolai Avgustovich Monkevits. Kondzerevsky wrote this a little later.

PART 2 Journey to Siberia

CHAPTER 1 Planning of the Tunguska expedition

— Nikolai Petrovich, you to the telephone! ‘the batman shouted.

Yes, the day began very familiar for an officer of the General Staff. Losunov has already put himself in order, and fastened the buttons of an excellent new uniform. And, after all, sewn in Atel Monsieur Sanier. I had to part with a decent amount, but what can you do?

He decided to pamper himself, after being appointed to the General Staff, he was finally seconded from the Life Guards Semyonovsky Regiment. His superiors found his participation in the events of 1905 almost commendable, and requiring encouragement. Therefore, now the headquarters — captain Losunov, after studying at the Academy, was here, in the famous building of the General Staff, where he had a small apartment. And he was appointed clerk of the Fourth office work, that is, in the strategic intelligence of the Russian Army.

“One second, Philemon. Let them not hang up!

Filimon Kondratyev became a batman with Losunov ude a long time ago, back in 1906. The soldier was prominent and sensible, and did not want to return to his city of Pokrov after the service, so he became an orderly at the staff captain. He looked pretentious, in his uniform without shoulder straps, but in a Semyunov visor, decorated with stunning density of sideburns. No, without a doubt, Philemon was simply magnificent in appearance, and irreplaceable in everyday life. I knew where to get fresh dust, or, there, pies. What a laundress is more ceiling, well, a lot of important things. And now, in one hand he held the telephone receiver, and in the other — Losunov’s cap.

The officer picked up the phone from the clerk’s hand, nodded to Philemon, go, they say, and in a well-set voice said:

— Staff Captain Losunov at the apparatus.

Actually, I used to answer so immediately. The service is a service, and no one has telephoned him in vain.

— Nikolay Petrovich? This is General Kondzerevsky. Come to me now, it is necessary.

“That’s right, Your Excellency!

The voice in the microphone fell silent, and the staff captain hung up on the levers of the telephone. He quickly took out his leather briefcase, opened it, checked the contents — several notebooks for notes, and honed pencils. There was also a Parker pen in a special case. The staff captain did not risk carrying such a thing in his pocket, fearing to spoil the uniform with ink. Yesho once examined his unwise apartment, from three small rooms. And then, the situation was more than Spartan. Two iron beds, three closets for clothes, a dining table with four Viennese chairs. The bureau stood out, a writing table. This thing was just the pride of Losunov, a French work of the early nineteenth century, I remembered this table from Napoleon Bonaparte himself. At least, Nikolai Petrovich himself thought so.

Losunov once again went to the mirror, corrected the silver badge of the Semenovsky regiment on his chest, cap, and again praised himself for his well-sewn uniform. He sat just great, perfectly tailored, made of excellent material. But, time was running out, it was necessary to go.

— Well, that’s it, I’m in the service, Philemon. You are for the elder!

“That’s right, your nobility! — the answer was brief and on the case.

***

“To his Excellency! Staff captain Losunov, General Kondzerevsky called me.

— So it is, you are appointed, — answered the officer on duty, the still young second lieutenant, after checking the notes, — come through, staff captain! — and pointed to a solid oak door with a bronze handle.

Losunov, out of habit, taking his cap under his left hand, entered the office. Actually, there were two doors here, and a vestibule, so that no one would hear too much. The general was sitting in a chair at a long table, at which, oddly enough, there was no one else, and he was recording something. When he saw him enter, he got up and said hello by the hand, and said:

— Sit down, staff captain. And, simply contact, by name and patronymic.

— Got it, Pyotr Konstantinovich!

— That’s good, Nikolai Petrovich. An important business was formed, and it was decided to entrust it to you. Go to the map.

Losunov stood next to the map of the Russian Empire. Actually, he knew geography very well.

— So, you must visit the area of Podkamennaya Tunguska, where a meteorite fell on June 17. Your task is to take photos, collect soil samples. Work very quickly, be on the spot for no more than two hours. That’s an order. Work only in a slot gown, covering your face with a mask, in rubber boots and the same gloves. This is also an order, and it is not discussed. Then, you burn the protective clothing. Here, travel documents, appointing you to the Kamchatka expedition. Officially, you follow there. But, in fact, you will lag behind the train going to Vladivostok. You need an assistant, and the most reasonable would be to take as such a person, namely Filimon Kondratyev, your batman. It is important here that as few people as possible are aware of your journey.

The general moved the folder to Losunov. Actually, there was asho, which is necessary. An order to send Losunov and Kondratyev, express tickets, and a chubby envelope with money.

— Here are the suitcases, — and the general nodded at the voluminous luggage, — there, Nikolai Petrovich, a camera and clothes. In addition, a special sealed box for soil samples.

— Everything understood, Peter Konstantinovich. I understand that this is important.

— And, most importantly, all this should remain secret. Report to me personally upon your return. Here is my phone number. On the road, do not contact anyone, and do not send dispatches, complete silence. Well, except in extreme cases. Any questions?

— No, everything is completely clear.

— Your train is already tomorrow, rest, Nikolai Petrovich!

And General Kondzerevsky returned to his notes, and the staff captain armed himself with a couple of suitcases and left the chief’s office.

***

— So Filimon, we are going to Kamchatka. And the train is leaving soon. Hurry up, time is short.

— This is not bad, your nobility., — the batman began to argue extensively, — Only, really, it would be better to go to Crimea, to Yalta. There, they say, the climate is good, the sea is warm. I would like to visit there.

— Well, sorry. Next time. I will be with my superiors, I will certainly say what you want to go to Crimea, Filimon.

— Yes, your nobility. I hope they listen tightly. And so, everything was collected, as you ordered, at the very minimum. Two suitcases. And so, these two leather. That’s all our luggage.

— About leather especially that everyday life worried about them. Take everything out into the yard, let the janitor look after the good there. And, immediately catch the cab driver, you have to go to the station, you can’t be late.

Yes, there was no need to hesitate. The train to Irkutsk departed from St. Petersburg once a week, so it was decidedly impossible to be late. But, Philemon was diligent, and soon the luggage was taken out, and the janitor stood by the luggage, almost like an hour at the regimental banner.

— Nikolay Petrovich, are you really going on vacation? — did not notice to ask him Lieutenant Bekasov.

Actually, this young man served with Losunov in one, in the Fourth office work, but so far he was only as an assistant clerk. Such an unnecessarily twisted person, Losunov tried not to communicate with him outside the service.

— I would be glad, but assigned to the Kamchatka expedition. I have the honor to join such a famous event.

Losunov noticed with pleasure how Lieutenant Bekasov’s face twitched in annoyance, and he quickly entered the General Staff building. And here

the crew arrived, caught in time by Philemon. Quite good, and understandable, pulled by a pair of horses. Nevertheless, it would be indecent for an officer of the Life Guards Semyunovsky to ride a one-horse wagon. The batman began to lay suitcases, bandaging them with a belt, so as not to lose something on the road.

— Domch, as if on wings, do not please worry, your nobility! We always know how to get better. Are you at the Nikolaev station?

— exactly.

— Nobody will take me better, do not hesitate, your nobility!

The cabman looked ordinary. With an indispensable beard, yes number on the back, in a blue fake, hat, ordinary harem pants, and foppish chrome boots. In general, an ordinary cabman, judging by the dialect, from the Yaroslavl province.

— Let’s go, let’s go, what are we worth? — Losunov began to lose patience, and the crew finally started.

The road was short to the station, but full of other riders. In addition, city tram cars also passed by them, rattling cast-iron wheels at the joints of rails laid on the pavement. We drove from half an hour, not less, until we arrived at the oldest station in St. Petersburg. The most beautiful building, built back in 1851, adorned the square. Losunov checked his watch with a tower clock, and was pleased with his Omega wrist watches. The mechanism was excellent, they were accurate, so you won’t stick. A loader cart rolled up to them.

— Here, take it, — and the staff captain paid fifty dollars to the cabman, — Philemon, and this is for you, will pay the loader. And, deliver our suitcases to the first class carriage.

Yes, I have already prepared a two-face for the loader, swapping silver coins in advance. And in the suitcase there was a full jar of “monapancier” of this silver, he knew that paper money was not favored in the outback, so there was a suede purse in his pocket, with fifty gold coins a third of the imperial, or simply five rubles.

Meanwhile, the cart started, and Philemon followed the luggage. Couldn’t you really, oyitser drag your luggage? It would be simply incomprehensible to him and those around him. At the door of the first-class lounge was a doorman who opened the doors to passengers. The staff captain missed the lady and governess with two children by touching with two fingers visor of his cap. He entered himself, and heard a speech in English behind his back:

— George, where is our carriage?

“We have a first-class coupe, sir. A CIWL train follows to Irkutsk.. Acceptable comfort is provided to us.

“What about luggage?” I don’t want anything to get lost!

“I personally checked everything, sir.

A gentleman in the clothes of a wealthy traveler and his servant, confident and calm, talked among themselves. Losunov remained to wait at the platform. There was still a lot of time, and after thinking, I went to the station cafe, a little snack on the road. Cold pork was not bad, as was the hot tea served here. Both waiters are polite and the setting was pleasant. There were also breakfast leaving, quite a decent audience, and passengers of the third and fourth classes were not allowed here at all.

Finally, Losunov slowly approached the platform, to which the locomotive was already slowly, proceeding from the ferry, pushing the cars. People leaving and seeing them off, perhaps friends or relatives, talked noisily, there was a slight fuss. So, with two suitcases and a considerable bag in hand, Philemon appeared.

— Your nobility, everything is done in the best possible way. Those suitcases were handed over by a bad car, here are the receipts. Everything is great! And this is on the road. Here, and citro, and pies, — the Denchik happily smiled.

— Let’s go, it’s time to take places, — the staff captain calmly said.

Losunov slowly, with dignity, presented tickets, and a smartly dressed conductor, pointed out their compartment to them. And the car of this train was huge, biaxial, and there were twelve compartments in the car. He was opened, then handed a key, almost like a key to a room in a trendy hotel. But, I must say, inside the situation was simply excellent. An abundance of shulka and velvet on the seats and walls. And the compartment, it was like a small room, in addition, with a personal toilet and a washbasin behind the partition.

— Settle down, Philemon.

But, the batman first removed the suitcases, preparing accessories for washing and pidams, laid it all out in the toilet. And Losunov sat down by the window without pulling back the curtain. There was nothing to look at yet. Nobody saw him off, there was no one, and he simply had no desire to worry about others. So far, he only carefully hung his cap on the hanger, and took out the book “Description of Siberia,” with maps. All this had to be carefully studied.

CHAPTER 2 A game of chess with a new acquaintance

While the point is, the locomotive buzzed piercingly, whistled, noticeably pushed the cars back, and then, a little pushed forward, smoothly moving away. Losunov loved this moment very much, so he pushed the curtains aside to look at the unforgettable sight. Perron seemed to be leaving, sailing into the distance. Cast-iron wheels rumbled on the arrows, the train rolled past the warehouses, near which loaders and crowbars scurried, taking goods. Then, the cars of two trains that stood on the spare tracks passed. And two suburban trains with summer residents passed by them. They knocked on them, the conductor opened the door.

— Gentlemen, in an hour I’ll start delivering tea. In the meantime, please show tickets.

Losunov showed cardboard with perforation. The conductor hid them in the pocket of a special magazine, and instead issued receipts. It was invented sensibly, as the staff captain appreciated. It was clear which coupes were occupied, and to which station they were following.

“Thank you,” said the guide, finishing the case.

Nikolai Petrovich took up the book, and Filimon took up his own. Losunov knew that his batman was not indifferent to Conan-Doyle, and now, together with the famous detective, he was solving the secret of the Baskerville Dog. Well, what? To expect that Kondratyev will read Merezhkovsky or Tolstoy, in fact, would be simply stupid.

Well, in the meantime, Losunov could safely enjoy the trip, and there was plenty of time for this. The train followed through Vologda, Sharya, Vyatka and Perm, along the mining road, through the Ural Mountains, to Yekaterinburg, then to Chelyabinsk and further along the Great Siberian route. The road was supposed to take two weeks.

Reading time passed quickly. And the tea brought by the guide has long ended. Losunov looked at his watch, reluctantly got up, and went to the washbasin. Rinsed his hands.

— Philemon, it’s time to have dinner.

“Now, your nobility. Here, I have already read about the legend of the Baskerville clan. Prezabavnaya kiizhitsa, nevertheless. Nevertheless, in vain you did not pay a visit to Natalia Ivanovna. Thekla told me that the young lady was very bored.

— Philemon, as much as I told you, do not meddle in your business…

— So what kind of dowry, and there is a dacha, on Strelka…

— Let’s go, lunch, right, is getting cold, — Losunov repeated almost wearily.

Natalya Ivanovna Serdyukova has been Nikolai Petrovich’s lady of the heart for a long time. But, at first Losunov himself was in small ranks, and then there was a case at the reception when the young lady preferred the society of a judicial official to him. It was foolish, in fact, to impose your society where it was undesirable, as Losunov considered harsh in his decisions.

In the meantime, they went to the restaurant car, Filimon remained in places for servants, Losunov sat down at a free table. Opposite him, at the other table, two young ladies dined, from his carriage, as he managed to notice. Very pleasant faces for both, and for the brunette, the curl hung so sweetly, which the girl often corrected. But, then the waiter came up, distracting from such an interesting look, and began to offer lunch dishes:

— Wonderful cabbage soup with mushrooms, we also have boiled pork for a snack, beef beef stroganoff for hot, with wonderful fried potatoes. You will be satisfied, I guarantee.

— And, poilust, Merlo’s glass, and then, and coffee, — added Losunov.

As a resident of St. Petersburg, the staff captain got used to coffee, and, to be honest, drank tea very rarely.

“As you please, your nobility,” and the waiter bowed, retired.

The horseradish Buzhenina was served straight away and was no doubt just perfectly cooked. Even the mood rose. But then an old Englishman came up and introduced himself.

— Avan Hardson St. Jacob, journalist Will you allow it?

— Yes, of course. Headquarters captain Losunov, Nikolai Petrovich. Very glad, — he said the words on duty, usual in this case.

The Englishman ordered himself onion soup, beef stew, croutons with butter. Finally, they brought coffee.

— If it’s not a secret, where are you going, shiabs-captain? this lord asked.

— Assigned to Kamchatka expedition. Staff duties. So, I follow right up to Vladivostok, and there, and to Petropavlovsk-on Kamchatka.

— I understand. Well, to me to Irkutsk, and then to Baikal. We were entrusted with describing the local beauties, the extraordinary complexity of the construction of the Trans-Siberian Railway. This is incredibly thirty-nine tunnels around Lake Baikal, and the longest of them is more than a thousand six hundred feet!

What can I say, Lord Hardson looked quite pretty in his tweed suit, with carefully laid, as if glued hair. Even the red trimmed mustache was quite consistent with such a sophisticated appearance. Losunov noticed that the Briton appreciated his regimental sign, shoulder straps.

— Previously, I was not familiar with officers from the Imperial Old Guard, after all, the Petrovsky Brigade. Well, I, as the youngest son in the family, decided on journalists. It’s good that my father did not insist on a spiritual career. Nevertheless, the sons of his father are four-senior, Philip, in the Noble Guard, middle, Michael, in the fleet of His Majesty, the third, Nikolaus, chose the judicial path. Well, I, here, — and he grinned.

— I am the only son of my parents. So to speak, they have only one hope, — Losunov calmly said in response.

But, he remembered, Hardson’s words. He looked back at Philemon, and he dined in the company of the servant of Avan.

— George is my servant. True, he prefers to be called a majordome. It seems more correct to him. Funny, isn’t it?

— Philemon is my batman. I haven’t reached the news yet.

— I understand. Philip has his own messenger. So lunch seems to have ended. Would you like a game of chess?

“Willingly.

They waited for the dishes to be removed, and then, the free space on the table was occupied by a wooden board, with sixty-four cells, black and white. On which chess pieces were quickly placed. And, of course, a coffee pot and a couple of cups complemented all this new still life.

— Sorry, I have to move away. But, I’ll be back in a couple of minutes. Certainly, Losunov said quickly, rising.

But while he was waiting for some business. He had already noticed that Philemon had left the restoration car. And, as agreed, the batman was waiting for him in the vestibule.

— So, — the headquarters kaptan began the conversation, — soon the station, the steam locomotive will stop for fifteen minutes, draw water into the tank. You fly a bullet to the telegraph operator, and beat off this message at the same address. Here is the money for you, — and Losunov gave the ruble, — but, so that you would not be noticed from the windows of the restaurant car.

“I will do it at my best, your nobility!

— Well, and buy something on the platform, for cover, — and gave another ruble with a trifle, — that’s it, act. Look after this lord’s servant, Mr. George.

— And it’s not a question, your nobility, ‘and Philemon nodded readily.

Then the staff captain quickly went into the toilet room of the restaurant car, rinsed his hands, looked at himself again in the mirror. I don’t seem excited. Deliberately slowly returned to the table where the chess game was waiting for him. Lined up figures, and watches, with two dials.

— Everything is ready, your nobility, let’s get started? Hardson asked, smiling.

“By all means your lordship!

The party came out elegant and interesting. Spectators gathered around, empathized, but did not interfere. Losunov played very well, they spoke to the regiment, but then he met a powerful opponent. Both did not even notice how the train stopped, then started. Both were captured by this action. The waiter brought them more coffee. Now Nikolai Petrovich held an elegant cup in his hand, quickly drank from it, waiting for an important move by Hardson. The case was approaching a denouement. Everything depended on what the Englishman, rook or queen decided to go? But now, Eyvan decided, and his rook attacked, removing Losunov’s elephant from the board. The staff captain removed the cup, and with his rook deprived the black king of the maneuver, and then, his queen removed the black queen from the board.

“You mate, Hardson.

“Exactly… — he quickly looked around the board, — but, thank you for the game! And, I hope for revenge, headquarters, captain!

The audience, with some annoyance that it was over, began to disperse. Together, as the main characters of this action, they listened to the comments and late advice of the audience.

— Dare I finish… On the twelfth move, Black would have to… — the overweight passenger began his tirade, thoughtfully correcting his pince-nez.

— If you wish, we can play with you tomorrow, — Hardson suggested on the move, — and we will postpone our revenge with the staff captain a little.

— I will owe you a lot, — the chess fan answered with delight, — let me introduce myself: Merchant of the second guild Porfiry Gennadievich Altunin.

— Avan Hardson St. Jacob, journalist

— Staff Captain of the Life Guards Semyonovsky Regiment Nikolai Petrovich Losunov.

— Until tomorrow, gentlemen, — and Altunin bowed out, and left this place.

Well, both new acquaintances are located in the smoking room. Losunov took out his cigarettes “Herzegovina Flor,” and Hardson “state express 555,” British cigarettes. Nikolai Petrovich used an amber mouthpiece, inserted a cigarette sleeve into it, and lit a cigarette. The Briton also dragged on with a cigarette

— In Paris, now Russian cigarettes are in great fashion, — the journalist said, — even in Lisbon, the queen smokes a box every day. But Queen Victoria could not stand tobacco smoke.

— Anton Pavlovich Chekhov, the famous writer and doctor, nevertheless denied that tobacco is harmful. Well, in fact, it’s up to everyone to decide, — Losunov did not agree.

“The party was excellent. You play great.

“I’m more accustomed to serving in the regiment. At the school, as a cadet, he had not yet appreciated the intricacies of chess. But, see how the passengers are interested? I guarantee that the salon-car will turn into a chess club tomorrow.

“That would be funny, staff captain. But, I have a party tomorrow with Mr. Altunin.

— And I, then read a little after dinner. Well, it seems time to go. Thank you again for the game, and Losunov shook hands with a new acquaintance, and got out of the car.

Walking along the corridor of a moving train car always resembled moving along the deck of a ship, as it seemed to Nikolai Petrovich. Such a kind of pitching underfoot. The main thing was to get in time with the fluctuations when the wheels of the car passed the joints of the steel rails. Now he moved aside, letting the ladies pass. They smiled pleasantly in response, and hastily disappeared into their compartment. By chance or not, Losunov noticed that the travelers were located across the compartment from his compartment. I noticed that Philemon was standing in the corridor and looking out the window.

“Your nobility?”

— Let’s go, I’ll open it now, and Losunov used the key.

The Denshchik put a fist, which smelled like a smell on the table by the window, and he sat on the sofa opposite the staff captain.

“How did it work out?” — Losunov said, pretending not to worry at all.

Only a couple of times corrected the cuff of his impeccable uniform, but for some reason he looked at the clock.

— Telegram sent, accepted. The answer was repulsed by the telegraph operator of the General Staff. So, a telegram, and he put it in front of Losunov.

He eagerly pulled up a gray cardboard with an important message draped over it.

“Expect. We will send an answer to Vologda, and if we do not have time, then to Perm. Only Stepanov or Losunov will be able to receive the message.”

“Well, thank you, Philemon. I did everything perfectly.

— As they said, tried, no one noticed me. And, got hold of great pies. Merchants are not tight, do not rise in price. Here with cabbage and eggs, there with livery. Here, fish, — and pointed to the fist.

— Take tea from the conductor, let’s have a snack. They have nothing to loosen up, otherwise they will disappear.

— I’ll do it now!

The batman quickly got up, out of military habit, pulled off his now civilian jacket, and left the compartment. It was not long to wait, Philemon quickly returned with four glasses of tea in cup holders, and proudly hoisted his prey on the table. Just a delightful smell filled the travelers’ compartment. Losunov moved to the table, drank a little from his glass. The taste of the drink was simply amazing, with a slight haze, like from a home samovar.

— Thank you, Philemon. Sit down, eat, — said the staff captain.

It was already getting dark outside the window, but the day ended quite well, to the sound of wheels, with a call of spoons in glasses of tea, and an excellent dinner of pies. Nikolai Petrovich, it seems, was completely calm at these moments.

CHAPTER 3 Another Day

The next day came so imperceptibly, as if it were a continuation of the past. Losunov did the usual procedure, taking up physical gymnastics in the morning. Nevertheless, such exercises strengthened the body, but especially the internal state, and the arms and legs were less numb, in conditions of forced rest. Then, in the toilet room, he slowly shaved and washed, then Philemon, following their ritual, solemnly removed a fresh shirt from his suitcase and hung it on his shoulders.

Nikolai Petrovich, before that a little gloomy, immediately amused. And then, everything immediately seemed in the best light. And the mood rose even more as the guide began to deliver morning tea.

— What Philemon, already time?

— Yes, your nobility, — answered the batman, taking out his unwise pocket watch, and throwing back the cover covering the dial, — like a nikak, already eight in the morning.

“That’s great.

— We have yesterday’s pies. And there, already in Vologda, we will stop, and tomorrow, God willing, we will get to Perm!

“That’s nice!

They ate slowly, enjoying a simple meal. Losunov did not want to go to the restaurant car for porridge and omelet, the pies were quite to his taste. Then he got up, slowly washed his hands, and went to the vestibule, to the place for smoking. A certain society has already gathered here, from old acquaintances on the wagon-restaurant.

— Good morning, gentlemen, — said Losunov

— Good morning, — the merchant of the second guild Porfiry Gennadievich Altunin said importantly, — very happy.

— Good morning, — said a very thin gentleman, in the uniform of a mining engineer, — Volkov, Ilya Sergeevich, engineer. I follow to Irkutsk, to the Angara. You know, I continue to dig, it is necessary to free the river from difficult rapids, to make the river navigable. And it remains, between those, quite a bit! — he told enthusiastically.

Losunov even turned to look at a new acquaintance. This gentleman, it turns out, was his companion. One way or another, it all became interesting.

Then the door slammed, and Lord Hardson entered the room, in a discreet, gray check, travel suit, but with a clean shirt collar.

— Gentlemen, good afternoon! he said these words of ordinary politeness with a slight accent.

Well, and then, such a musculinized procedure began. The men were enveloped in smoke, not gunpowder, but tobacco. Here, everyone preferred their own kind of this product. Hardson slowly smoked a cigar, Losunov did not cheat on cigarettes, Altunin, also used a cigarette holder. And, unexpectedly, engineer Volkov turned out to be a fan of the tube. He had such an elegant thing made of pear root, which he held in his thin hands.

“Mr. Hardson, I would like to remind you of the promised game of chess,” Altunin said.

“No doubt I am at your service after dinner!” ‘the Englishman replied.

Losunov smiled a little, shook off the ashes from his cigarette into a marble ashtray, imagine this plot.

“If it were possible, I would be glad to play a game with you, Mr. Officer! Volkov said unexpectedly, adjusting his buttoned collar.

— I’d love to.

— Salon-wagon turns into a real chess club. Very entertaining! Hardson remarked with a smile.

***

This time, the chief culinary officer of the dining car delighted passengers with game dishes. Wild boar, elk, deer, as well as capercaillie and partridge became the source of inspiration for this poet of culinary art. It was hard not to taste a little of each of these culinary delights. Losunov, of course, also could not resist, and now he was in such an elevated state. True, I wanted to sleep. I remembered pages from books where writers for paints talked about feasts set by sovereign Alexei Mizailovich, and especially Makovsky’s multicolored paintings. And now, the staff captain felt like such a boyar, from the picture, surrounded by incredible dishes with all kinds of food.

— Just Lukullov’s feast! Hardson said, or not, one of those feasts that Walter Scott described in his novels. Remember Cedric’s feast at Ivanhoe?

This lord spoke, slowly spreading a piece of bread with butter, and fertilizing this dish with a silver spoon from above with a hefty portion of black caviar. As you can see, Hardson was not tired of venison under a creamy sauce, nor acutely peppery vepryatina. Well, Losunov could no longer look at the caviar.

— A glass of Merlot? Eyvan suggested.

— Of course!

Here Nikolai Petrovich was not at all opposed. And then, after a pleasant lunch, a glass of wine is only good.

— Veronica, no, I won’t have dessert! he heard the voice of that pleasant girl from the table opposite.

— What are you, Sonechka, how nice it is… — her friend said, — well, a little!

Yes, of course, the young ladies were very beautiful, especially the one whose name was Veronica. With such graceful curls of hair, in such a cute graceful hat, barely sitting on lush hair. Sofia, or Sonechka, was cut short in the last decadent fashion, which, if honest, Losunov did not understand at all.

But, here they brought coffee, and Nikolai Petrovich in a sense, distracted from his observations. Having felt such a aroma, it was impossible even to think about something else. But now, the cups were empty, the waiter removed the dishes, and there was a chessboard on the table.

— Did you promise the party? Volkov said decorously, sitting down opposite.

— Let’s get started! Losunov agreed.

Nearby, at another table, Hardson and Altunin began their party. And, at first, very quickly the merchant lost a couple of figures. However, there was no time to watch someone else’s game.

True, they did not even notice how they drove a couple of stations, stopped, and then started off again. The party turned out to be much more difficult. Volkov was very good, and tenaciously and skillfully led the game. The manager of the restaurant car came up, touched his chin, shook his head and finally said:

“Offer a draw. In general, there are no moves left.

— How are you, Nikolay Petrovich? Don’t mind? Volkov said with some excitement.

— Without a doubt, Ilya Sergeevich, — and Losunov stretched out his hand to the enemy.

Well, and Hardson at his table, won, and sat sprightly, enjoying a glass of fine port.

— Gentlemen, let’s continue tomorrow! — suggested Altunin, — Nikolai Petrovich, will you make me an opportunity to play with you?

— Of course. Hardson, would you like to test your strength by leading the game with Mr. Volkov?

— I’ll be glad. Ilya Sergeevich, do you mind?

— It must be interesting. You will oblige me very much.

So, in fact, this day of such a long journey ended.

CHAPTER 4 To the pounding of cast iron wheels

But, today almost in anxiety, Losunov looked at his watch. I woke up early, managed to shave and put myself in order. Such actions always calmed him down, returned the clarity of thoughts. And now, it was just necessary. He needed a clear move in this party, especially since a telegram awaited him…

— Filimon, we drive up to Perm.

— I remember your nobility!

“Once again, you must have time to go to the telegraph operator. Message, Philemon, message… Did you manage to find out everything?

“How can I tell you… Their lordships in all British reference books are available, records in the manner of pedigrees from pedigree horses. It is impossible to be deceived here…

— Yes, I will do everything, do not worry, your nobility!

And still, Losunov felt how simply a clear move was needed, incredibly correct, correct…

— Listen, Philemon… Do you know Veronica’s bottom young lady? ‘he asked a sudden question.

Nikolai Petrovich knew about Filimon’s hobbies, and the most-most for him were, of course, women. The staff captain did not doubt the talents of his batman, and that’s it. There were reasons for this.

— So she didn’t mind, your nobility… Glashka, that is. Glafira Ignatievna.

— It is not worth spreading about it, Philemon, it is not beautiful, — the staff captain interrupted the outpouring of the orderly, — the girl herself goes for walks when the train stops at the platform for a long time? Especially in the company of his girlfriend, Sophia?

“So it is, of course, your nobility. — the batman smiled knowingly, read all thirty-two teeth — so it is of course… Veronika Evgenievna, a young lady, no doubt prominent…

“I need to meet her.

“That’s how I’ll do it, your nobility! Right now.

***

The Denchik encouragingly raised his hand up, with his palm to the headquarters captain, making a gesture in the manner of an Indian fakir from the circus, and quickly left the compartment. Losunov pulled up his uniform and looked at his watch. Only ten minutes passed when there was a knock on the compartment door, and a sweet girl’s voice said:

“Let me come in?” I’ll only bother you for a minute.

What should a guard officer do in such a situation? Act, no doubt, because the lady asks for a favor! Losunov jumped up from the sofa, and adjusting the gate of his uniform, carefully opened the door.

And for sure, this lovely girl, Veronika Evgenievna, stood on the threshold. Now even more beautiful, due to a slight excitement, which made a lovely blush on the girl’s cheeks.

“Sorry again. Veronika Evgenievna Samoilova.

— Nikolai Petrovich Losunov, — and the staff — the captain cleverly kissed the young lady’s hand — it’s nice that they paid me a visit.

“My donna put away her suitcase,” the girl began to explain, “and it will be difficult to get some things.” Do not order your clerk to help my servant? For a woman, this is still too much weight.

— I’d love to. Come on, I’ll take it.

Could the staff captain of the Life Guards Semyonovsky Regiment refuse a lovely young lady? No, and no again! And Losunov went out into the corridor, where his batman was already walking, with the most innocent expression on his face.

— Philemon, help the ladies… — said the staff captain.

“I’ll show you! — Mademoiselle Samoilova, a servant, immediately came up, — here, here, poilusta! Take a look!

Losunov noticed that Glafira Ignatievna was a very attractive woman in her thirties, and was able to appreciate the impeccable taste of her batman. And he, meanwhile, quickly got down to business.

Stepanov demonstrated skillful handling of hand luggage, which led to the utter joy of the inhabitants of the ladies’ compartment. It was evident that Veronika Samoilova was very pleased with the works of Filimon.

“I am very grateful to you! Nikolai Petrovich, will you and Sophia make a company in Perm? Want a little walk at the station?

— I’d love to, though I promised Lord Hardson I’d walk with him.

— Well, it just turned out quite a pleasant situation. Why wouldn’t an Englishman join us? That would be quite sweet. The train will arrive at the station in forty minutes, — said Veronica, looking at her golden watch of her wrist, — see you.

Losunov bowed, and went into his compartment. Soon Philemon showed up there.

“That’s all right, your nobility! The young lady is very pleased, so, and a half granted me! — and the batman proudly demonstrated a silver coin.

— Yes, Kondratyev… You will not die of modesty. In general, you know what you have to do at the station. Imperceptibly get to the telegraph operator and get a telegram for me from the General Staff.

“And pies, your nobility. There is no way without pies.

“Buy some pies, too. Here’s another fifty kopecks.

— I understood everything, Nikolay Petrovich, — and Filimon smiled completely in a rogue way.

And Losunov deliberately sighed heavily, and reached for his uniform cap, which was quietly hanging on the hook of the hanger. He also took out new gloves, carefully examined the uniform. In general, I was satisfied, and sat down on the sofa, waiting for arrival at the station.

CHAPTER 5 Train station date

— The train arrives in Perm! — the voice of the guide rang out in the corridor, — gentlemen, parking for fifty minutes!

Losunov looked out the window. The train was traveling through a deep tunnel, albeit open from above. On the right, on a hill, stood a beautiful three-story stone building. They turned, and now, the goal was already very close.

The apron was approaching, steam from the locomotive was simply flowing along the ground. Here, there was only one blow, a little thundered, and the train stopped. An employee of the road, in a corporate uniform, with shiny buttons and a cap with a red top, went to the head of the train.

— Well, that’s it, we leave. I close the door, — Losunov calmly said. The most crucial minutes came, so to speak, and he could not make a mistake. He opened the door, and here, like a nymph or the lovely spirit of a train, or at least a carriage, stood beautiful Veronica, and looked carefully out the window.

— Ah, here you are, Nikolai. Let’s go? said his maiden immediately.

— Yes, of course.

Losunov went a little ahead, then into the vestibule of the car. He went down the ladder, gave his hand to the girl. Veronica stood by. Then, he did a similar courtesy for lovely Sofia.

“Young ladies? Very indebted to your society! — gallantly said the officer, — quite a pleasant place, look for yourself.

Here, rattling the heels of patent leather boots on the steel steps of the carriage, Lord Hardson went down to the platform.

— Ladies, very happy! said the gallant Englishman immediately, and looked at Losunov.

He nodded knowingly, and calmly said, introducing the guest to the young ladies:

— Allow me to introduce — Avan Hardson St. Jacob, journalist. My new good friend.

— And an excellent chess player, no doubt, — said Sophia.

— Veronika Evgenievna Samoilova, — continued Losunov, — and Sofia…

— Sofia Ignatievna Serebryakova, — the sheared girl helped him.

“Very glad, ladies,” the lord said in French.

Actually, the conversation went on in the sublime language of the immortal Rabelais. Nobody knew the English of the ladies, in fact, like, for example, Chinese. Sofia took Hardson’s arm, and Veronica walked next to Losunov, covering her face from the sun with a graceful umbrella. The servant flanked from behind, no more than two steps away. Out of the corner of his eye, the staff captain noticed Jordan, but he was carried away by the servant Sofia Samoilova, and so to speak, while he was a little lost. Like Filimon, cleverly detached, as if missing from the advertising cabinet. Actually, everything went according to plan.

— Maybe a cup of coffee, gentlemen? — suggested Losunov, — not a bad place. Or maybe you can have lunch?

— Why not? Veronica agreed

The station building, decorated with waving flags, was very beautiful. Large, bright windows adorned this elegant building. Well, in the city led solemn, decorated with marble, stairs. Nevertheless, Perm stood in a very hilly place. Often even at home they climbed on the hillocks, but, on the other hand, their eyes were not bored!

The doorman opened the door for them, without even asking for tickets, he just glanced at Losunov’s uniform, and stretched out into the string, as if he were an ordinary in his regiment.

“Do you know each other?” Or served together? Veronica asked, unstoppable, surprised by such treatment.

— I don’t remember such a young man in Semenovsky. But, at first glance, this Shelmets recognized my regimental sign — and the staff captain pointed to the regimental sign — so it’s quite by rank to enter the premises for first-class passengers.

And the restaurant turned out to be good, the waiters are fast and executive, they quickly brought the ordered food.

— Lovely place! — said Hardson, doing a good job with the game he ordered, — the chef is a great connoisseur of his craft! I haven’t tried this for a long time. Pheasant, no worse than in the “European” St. Petersburg!

Losunov visited this hotel once. And then, not with his capital, visit such places. A luxurious place where the regulars were cavalry guards and horse guards, immigrants from the richest noble families of the Empire.

— Exactly. And then, it was good to walk and dine in a place where it doesn’t motion, “Sofia muttered.

Although, this girl would hardly have broken even seasickness. Probably, even ocean pitching would be nothing to her. At least, Mademoiselle Serebryakova did not suffer from a lack of appetite at all. Let’s just say that her despondency was more of an indulgence, and did not spread to dinner. Veronica also ate with appetite, often looked at the gentleman.

— It’s just a miracle, I didn’t even think that they could cook so well so far from St. Petersburg, — Hardson spoke again.

“This is the richest part of Russia. With ancient history, and customs, Eyvan. The extraction of salt and furs brought incredible income, — explained the staff captain.

“You feel somewhat uncomfortable. We drove more than two thousand miles, and still the same Russia, the same language. Evokes some longing…

— To India from London much further.

— Is it India, is it Britain? Just a colony, that’s all. Somehow incredible with you, in Russia. This simply cannot be! You keep silent, hide something in your history, from the whole world. Hidden somewhere here, some secret… Everything does not come together! It’s incredible, thousands of miles, and there’s one language everywhere!

Losunov wanted to answer something, explain, even blushed with excitement. Then he sensed that Veronica, who was sitting next to him, slightly pressed his leg, and raised her eyebrows, trying, apparently, to change the topic of a difficult conversation. The staff captain smiled, recalled another famous foreigner who became Russian:

— One can only recall the famous words of Field Marshal Minich, Lord Hardson: “Russia is directly ruled by God… This explains everything.

But, then the gypsies took up the music, and there was no time for talk. They danced and sang, straight fire… As they began to bypass the diners, Losunov easily rang out with a state ruble. The thing is, the staff captain was still not a Siberian gold miner, in order to waste money left and right. But, the parking time was running out, and new acquaintances hurried to the train parking lot, where the overseer hit the bell for the first time. Passengers approached their cars.

Losunov helped Veronica rise, and Eyvan supported Sophia with the pleasure of a true gentleman. Then, Nikolai Petrovich let the Englishman go ahead, then he himself easily ran up the cast-iron steps of the ladder, finding himself in the vestibule of the car. The conductor stood in the door, with a red flag in his hand. The locomotive huddled again, steam enveloped the platform. Here, the bell rang again, and the Trans-Siberian Express set off.

CHAPTER 6 Russian lotto and a kiss in the corridor

— Nikolai Petrovich, — quietly, almost conspiratorially, Veronica said, — the right word, you really press on the foreigner… You have to be a little kinder.

Then, seeing that Hardson was bowing to Sofia, and retired to his compartment. Then the young lady turned to him, and spoke calmer

“In half an hour I’ll invite you to my compartment. Let’s play lotto. Sofia will keep us company. Will you come?

— Of course. I will be glad.

— It’s a long time before the evening, it’s quite convenient. Or, are you stopped by class distinctions, Mr. Officer?

“What can I say?” — and he sighed heavily — Sometimes we can say that times have become much easier. There is a special demand from the officers of the Imperial Life Guards, and even more so for those serving in the Old Regiments. But… I’d better not tell you anything, Veronika Evgenievna. I will come with pleasure, — quickly bowed, kissed his hand, and went to himself.

He closed the door, and breathed a sigh of relief when he saw Philemon smiling. A voluminous fist with pies occupied an honorable place on the table, and the batman handed him the long-awaited telegram. Stepanov did not say a word, yet the walls here were, frankly, the thinnest. Losunov began to quickly read to himself:

“Avan Hardson St. Jacob, journalist. Data verified through our trusted agent in London. Hardson has been in the Thimes newspaper for three years. Not seen in ties with the British War Department.”

The staff captain, out of annoyance, crumpled in his fist an innocent braid of thin cardboard with a message.

— Ashtray, Philemon.

— Here, your nobility!

Losunov went to the toilet room, where, armed with matches, he began to burn a telegram. He struck a match on the box, and only broke the head, then again and again, but finally, a small timid light, as if demolishing it, licked a gray sheet of cardboard. The staff captain turned the telegram and so on, so that the flame would eat everything without a trace, even he himself managed not to get burned. But, managed to even think a little here.

“So, Hardson is indeed a journalist, the next to describe the Baikal beauties. And, this is quite good. It would be bad to follow a person, in general, very pretty. Despite some rejection. But it is completely impossible to devote these young ladies, especially Veronica, to something, as well as new acquaintances.”

— Philemon, stay here for the elder. No one should be allowed here. Here, you have a spare key for the compartment, I will be near Veronika Samoilova.

“Long overdue, your nobility. Right word, it’s very time. Get married. I heard about Evgeny Petrovich Samoilov, a wealthy industrialist from Lena, a merchant of the first guild, a millionaire. In a daughter, she has no soul, she gives a hundred thousand given for her. He, the trading post, has a dozen in the taiga, and two ships go along the Yenisei. Or three?

— Philemon, you would also serve as a matchmaker. Such money would be boarded up.

— Yes, I always, your nobility. Ready to arrange your marriage. And I won’t take much money, I have a say. Not strangers, after all, and laughed.

— Well, you, Cupid wingless… Read the newspaper, or what? Sit still.

“I’ll go and talk to George. Such a very pleasant person turned out to be. Everything is more fun than sitting here.

— Okay. Have some fun, only without whiskey and gin, — the staff captain reminded his denman of the service.

Losunov corrected the gate of the uniform, as if indeed, a little pressed. Rather, he was plagued by doubts, or maybe even fears. That’s why Philemon sang about these millions? It became not better in my soul, but much worse.

— Ah, here you are, Nikolai Petrovich! And we are waiting for you and Sophia!

The girl was already in another dress. Not from heavy silk, but light cotton, with a pattern of small flowers, open to the elbows, with a cute white collar, without a hat. Yes, and only noticed what pleasant perfume she uses.

— Excuse me. But, I’m already here. By the way, would you like some pies?

— Why not? Only a little later.

Losunov returned to himself, grabbed almost all of Filimon’s prey, and followed Veronica in her compartment. Here, on the sofa opposite, Sophia is located. The girl threw off her shoes, and hid her legs under herself, under the hem of a long dress. It all looked very nice.

— Please, sit down! Now Hardson will come, “she said.

Veronica sat down, and patting the mattress, invited Losunov to sit down. He put the bundle on the table, and settled down next to the young lady, she smiled back. They knocked again, and Eyvan himself appeared at the door, with a box of sweets.

— Ladies, Mr. Officer… he said calmly, with a slight smile.

“Sit down, Eyvan,” Sophia said calmly, “it’s time to start.” Here, choose cards.

Russian lotto, the game is simple. More for pastime than excitement. Each put his card in front of him, but Sofia began to shake the bag with barrels with excitement, slightly opened it, and handed it to the Briton.

— Start with you. Take one.

— Of course — and pulled out the keg, — eleven!

The game has begun. True, Losunov often looked at Veronica, at her graceful fingers, wrists, as if molded with the best sculpture, such a cute face, with such attractive, as if burning fire, scarlet lips. Veronica seems to have noticed this, such views of the gentleman. Sofia won, the first closed her card. The guide brought tea, and the entertainment ended with a pleasant dinner.

“With your permission, I’ll go,” Hardson said, and left.

Sofia looked at the polite Briton, and only led her shoulder. He did not even bother to kiss her hand before parting.

“I think I saw him in Bristol, in the port. My daddy took me to England. And this one was on a warship, on a destroyer. In the uniform of a simple sailor. So I don’t know what to say, “the girl said slightly capriciously.

— Maybe Sofia Ignatievna, you were mistaken? It happens.

“I don’t think so, Nikolai Petrovich. It’s not bad with memory, and the young lady smiled mischievously.

— Better no one a word about it, — said Losunov, — everything is very incomprehensible, and it may be inconvenient if anyone else finds out. Except those present.

— Yes, you don’t need to talk about it, — Veronica said with the meaning, — I’m talking about you, Sonechka…

“It’s probably too late. And I have to go… — said Losunov.

But then he noticed how, from behind Veronica, Sofia writhed her faces hilariously, folded her hands almost prayerfully, and shook her head with all her might. She seemed to suspect something, but Sonechka sat still, and straightened the hem of her dress, like just a pie girl at a children’s matinee.

— Or more tea? Here they are pies, — added Nikolai Petrovich.

The gatherings lasted another hour and a half, in a pleasant conversation and tasting. But, it was necessary and honor to know. Nikolai Petrovich resolutely got up, bowed to the ladies, kissed both hands and went out. Veronica jumped up hastily, and went after the gentleman. Only the light on duty was on in the corridor, such a romantic twilight reigned.

Losunov turned around, sensing a girl’s hand on his shoulder. Then the sweet, tender lips touched first his cheek, and then his lips, felt Veronica, pressed against him.

— I just wanted to say good night,” she said quietly, “and thank you for a wonderful evening,” she kissed him again, and quickly disappeared into her compartment.

Losunov just sighed, touched his eyebrow above his right eye with his right hand. This worked out for him whenever the staff captain was a little worried. Then the key turned, and he found himself in his compartment, where Kondratyev was waiting for him.

CHAPTER 7 Whirlwind, or British cunning

In front of the batman stood a glass with the strongest tea, to which he applied, trying not to fall asleep. But, all one thing, Philemon was noticeably shaky, and judging by his face, he scored well with something much stronger than tea.

— I told you not to drink, fool! — the staff captain spoke strictly, still in a blissful, pleasant state.

“How little need to feel happy! -He thought, hanging his cap on the shiny horn of the hanger, — just a kiss from a beautiful girl. And the world in front of you is already in pink light!”

He sat down, turned on the table lamp, starting to expose himself. The uniform was changed to beautiful striped pajamas. Losunov did not think that Kondratyev would say anything else…

— Your nobility… So such a thing, — he said with difficulty, — how can I tell you… After all, George is not George, but this…

“What is it?” — Losunov began to lose patience, — gather yourself, speak clearly. I want to sleep.

— So exactly… Well, — and Kondratyev put an imaginary cap without a visor on his head, — George, this is Lord Hardson. And Lord Hardson is not a lord, but his messenger, a sailor from a destroyer. So here.

— Did you do a search there? No order? the staff captain was getting angry.

— No. Hardson somehow painfully drank a lot of brandy, but reached for the suitcase. Well, that’s after I called him a footman. I see, a man was strongly penetrated, leaped inside, so he took out the album, and fell to the floor. Well, I looked through the album a little, there were cards… Here, there are three such…

And Philemon held out a photograph of “George” in the uniform of His Majesty’s fleet lieutenant. He looked, to be honest, a brave fellow. I turned the card over, and it said:

“Lieutenant George Hardson St Jacob, Royal Navy Officer.”

It was, to put it mildly, just incredible. The British lord decided to appear as a simple batman…

— What else, Philemon?

— Nothing, in general… But in the toilet room of their coupe, in a bag, there is dynamite. This tackle is in a special, black bag. Yes, equipment, still there, like tourists. The Yenisei map was also. But, ay do not think, I put everything in place, complete order. And I didn’t notice anything else. And he put the lord on the sofa like his own. Sting, there was no blanket. And the album hid in place.

— What can I say, Kondratyev… Thank you, on behalf of the authorities. And, now, for his sensible service, he put a bill with a portrait of Alexander the Third in front of the batman.

— Yes, a lot of something, your nobility, twenty-five rubles…

Losunov sighed, took out another twenty-five, and with a stern expression on his face forcefully invested in Kondratyev’s palm.

— Here. Now just right. And what else… — the staff captain fumbled in his suitcase, — the “browning” turned out to be in front of the batman, — you can’t do without weapons, you understand. Better not to risk it.

Stepanov only tried to stutter, but waved his hand in grief, without words agreeing with the arguments of the staff captain. And then, after all, such fellow travelers got caught in this train, it’s just a disaster.

— Be ready, Philemon. In Chelyabinsk, the stop will be long, then we will do business. In the meantime, it’s time to sleep. Fit in.

— Be dead, your nobility! Stepanov will not let you down!

And Nikolai Petrovich, although he choked, did not immediately calm down himself. Sleep since he did not come to him. So much has happened that it’s hard to think… And the Briton, what a cunning person you are looking for… And it is well conceived if our military agents begin to check his data. Therefore, they did not find such a gentleman, the name, the other turned out to be completely, and the appearance too. So, the Briton is also going to the Yenisei, but he has prepared a map and dynamite. Everything was very, very suspicious… It was then that Nikolai Petrovich screwed up, and he dreamed of everything Veronika Evgenievna, in her cute colorful dress…

CHAPTER 8 Almost Family Breakfast

In the morning Losunov woke up easily, jumped up from the couch, instantly found himself in the toilet, where he began to shave feverishly and lather himself, giving himself a decent look. Migom changed his shirt to a fresh one. He had to look appropriate, especially for an officer of the Life Guards.

— Only, your nobility, there are no pies, are over. I’ll go to the restaurant car, I’ll get food there, — instead of “good morning” Philemon said, as if with condemnation.

— You, Stepanov… And in general, you have to be kinder to people, — answered, and even then not immediately, Nikolai Petrovich.

— So do I feel sorry for your young lady? Yes, perhaps only fish or, here, with soaked cranberries and honey…

Indeed, those pies were just noble, Losunov recalled. It tastes so amazing. Such, cooks in the Urals were, he did not expect.

— Nothing, soon the station, still buy. Parking — as much as ten minutes.

“I’ll have time. I do not like your nobility, I have this porridge in the morning. During the service I ate enough. Probably a lifetime in advance.

— Okay, okay. Here’s a ruble for you, just don’t grumble. Well, and there sausages still buy tea in reserve, and bread a couple of pounds. There is also something sensible.

— I will do everything, your good, in the best possible way!

And the batman, in a cheerful mood, jumped out of the compartment. Well, Losunov thought a little, remembering the last day. It all seems good, but it was necessary to imagine and calculate the next moves of the British. So, if George Hardson did not remember anything about that drunken evening, he will behave as before, according to an old legend, according to his already accepted plan. If not, what would he do himself? The simplest thing is to get off the train in Chelyabinsk, wait there two days, before the express train from Moscow, and go further. The most reasonable solution, of course… And he, himself, Losunov, what should he do? Here, everything was not easy. In thoughtfulness, the headquarters captain ran his hand over his uniform, checking his pockets, and finally fished out from the inside what he was looking for, a token with a knocked out number. The General Staff Intelligence sign, such is the paizza that will force the police and gendarmes to obey.

Then there was a knock in his compartment, and Losunov quickly threw his uniform over his shoulders, and even managed to put his hands in his sleeves.

“It’s Glafira. The young lady invites you to breakfast. She said she would be glad.

— Yes, I’m going now!

And what could he answer? Quickly button up, and bravely, without stumbling, follow towards your own destiny! He opened the locker, looked doubtfully at two bottles of cognac, and a couple of Madeira from his stocks, and closed it. True, he grabbed a bar of chocolate. That would be more appropriate. And then, I checked my view in front of the mirror, and calmly left the compartment, closing the door behind me.

At the table, all so elegant and beautiful, Veronika Evgenievna acted with her own hands. Even without thousands of necklaces on the chest, even without earrings decorated with sapphires and without rings on thin fingers. So, simply, in a burgundy Chinese silk robe decorated with extraordinary flowers and tigers.

The young lady slowly spread butter on pieces of the whitest bun, and covered this work with black caviar with a spoon. I must say, it turned out just fine. Coffee cups stood nearby, and pieces of refined sugar in a porcelain vase were laid out. Complete idyll, in general.

Perov or Makovsky would, right, admire such a wonderful still life, but Bryulov, and, of course, would pay more attention to the lovely young lady. Actually, Nikolai Petrovich himself, too. However, kissing a pen occupied by a knife, how is it possible? And Losunov froze, in a slight indecision, not knowing where to start.

— Nikolay? Come on, without “you.” It’s easier and more enjoyable. And simpler. I, nevertheless, from the merchant’s house, I can — she put down the knife, and calmly kissed him on the cheek.

“Good afternoon, Veronica,” he said a little shockingly, sitting opposite.

— Everything is ready, we will have breakfast. Are you with or without sugar? Here, I’m used to refining in this England. Yes, by the way, it is very convenient, hands are not sweet..

She poured coffee from the coffee pot herself, moved the cup to Losunov, like a saucer with sandwiches.

“Chocolate, love, Nestle,” she said calmly, removing the wrapper.

Then Nikolai Petrovich looked at a little different, at the dimple between the girl’s collarbones, at the triangle of the neckline with an elegant hollow, at just the batiste skin of the beauty.

— Eat, otherwise the oil will melt, the heat is on the train, — she smiled, — if it happens, then in St. Petersburg I can treat you better, in my apartment on Gorokhovaya. Where do you live?

— Right on Palace Square, just behind the Arch of the General Staff.

— Yes? — and she smiled dazzlingly, not letting the sandwich out of her right hand — are you, Grand Duke?

— No, the officers of the General Staff are lodging there, in the Palace. Prior to that, he lived at the Semenovsky regiment, in regimental apartments. And so, our estate was sold, they bought a house near Vyborg.

— The places are beautiful. Although, in our Yenisei, in Krasnoyarsk, it is much better and richer. And you have the fish you want… Have you tried grayling? Or there, Belarusian woman? But muksun, so you just lick your fingers, but under a glass of “Madeira”… she said dreamily.

— As usual. Herring, flounder and sturgeon. Ordinary St. Petersburg pedestals. And, also smelt, — Nikolai smiled.

The girl, having heard this, only whimsically wrinkled her nose a little, and then smiled charmingly. No, Filimon is resolutely right, everything is right, Losunov immediately thought. And why wouldn’t he marry? Yes, all one thing, he was entitled to an apartment from the Military Department, and his salary was not bad, he began to collect possible arguments “for” the headquarters captain.

— Here, and ate. Okay, you go see yourself before I get bored with you. But, at lunch I will be glad to see you again.

— I’ll go, — Losunov got up and kissed her hand.

A slight bow, and he was able to leave this place, although his legs did not really obey him now. It was as if they decided for him that it was better to stay here.

At one time, at the cadet school, this pa, with a bow to the lady and the subsequent retreat, was studied for a long time. That the future officer could do such a figure gracefully and beautifully, and not anyhow, in the manner of a pimpled and stooped student.

I came to my senses already in my compartment, sitting on the couch, with a pie in one hand, and with a glass of hot tea in a cup holder in the other. Scattered bit off, chewed, but nodded to Philemon sitting opposite

— How’s the pie, your nobility?” he said.

And Losunov was silent, only again nodded scattered. The orderly’s voice was heard as if from afar, and Nikolai Petrovich’s ears seemed to be covered with cotton wool. He winced a little, but said:

— That’s all right. Can you remember where they offered us an apartment from the Military Department at the beginning of the year?

— So on Voskresenskaya embankment, your nobility. But, you yourself said that they say, on Palace Square, the service is much closer.

What so far could he explain to Philemon? Vague desires, about which, as the poets say, “are similar only to the breath of a light breeze”? And the devil knows him, he was afraid to jinx him. So far, all the same, because you are not afraid of anything, but how this happens, immediately superstition is clogged in the head, and you cannot pull it out with ticks. Nikolai thought, and slowly said:

— Exactly. Let’s return to St. Petersburg, you will have more work, you will have to move to a new apartment..

CHAPTER 9 Spy Passions

Losunov was sitting on the couch, reading a book, or rather pretending to read. Opened on the next page, and he himself, here, was expecting lunchtime. It was necessary, as usual, without attracting the attention of other travelers, to sit at the table, and calmly dine. Although, damn it, you have to sit at the same table, with a batman, even a British one. Here, of course, Philemon does not count. I already looked at the bottle of white, but then I decided that vodka would be superfluous. The head should be fresh, he had too many important things to do.

— Yes, your nobility, not worth it. And Veronika Evgenievna, so the young lady is sweet, but she does not hurt, when they use a lot of intoxicant. Her daddy, only on a pilgrimage and escaped. From addiction to vodka. This is in Krasnoyarsk, — and smiled, — and with churches there are not rich. Taiga out, Yenisei, there is a lot of that. It’s good to walk like that in the Mother See, in prayed places, a nice thing is simple. There are many temples, and especially in Zamoskvorechye.

— You’ve called everything, I see?” Prepared?

— So it is, your nobility. You need to look, what kind of lady will be, here you need to think about everything ahead. Daddy, of course, is a drinker, and he went to the bear with an ax and a horn, and in general, a very hot man. Well, they’re lying, I think.

— What’s lying?”

— What hot!

— So he’s a Siberian, an industrialist. Not everyone can make a fortune like this. And then, taiga, gnus, dashing people drag.

— Exactly, your nobility. And here, and the young lady is such, right the angel of heaven…

Yes, the daughter of such a beastly merchant, somehow turned out to be calm, and even cute. So this is how to watch. After all, their regiment chief, Major General Mints, was always lenient towards soldiers, but in Moscow, the rioters were not spared in 1905. Bullets and bayonets were also involved. Or here, General Kaufman, Konstantin Petrovich, Tashkent Governor-General. They also said that a kind and condescending person, and did not give anyone to rebel in the Turkestan province, hung and shot, without getting up from a folding chair.

— Okay, Philemon, order a table there for us, in the restaurant car. And so, Guryev’s porridge for dessert, what else is good, do not forget. And a bottle of “chablis,” without fail.

— I will fulfill everything, your nobility!

Well, Losunov, already reassured himself, as in the first attack on the Presnensky barricades, convinced himself that not every bullet flies at the target. And here, in fact, not the Moscow vigilantes with Smith-Wessons, but the young lady, and the beauty and the clever in addition. And, Nikolai Petrovich bravely knocked on the door of Mademoiselle Samoilova’s compartment.

— I’m ready,” Veronica said with a smile, leaving the carriage corridor, “Let’s go.”

Nikolai Petrovich only meaningfully kept silent, only slightly bowed his head, a little completely. Let’s go to the vestibule, along the way he bowed with already familiar fellow travelers.

— Good day, Nikolai Petrovich. I really count on a game of chess, — said Altunin, who approached slowly, — but, Ilya Sergeevich, I agreed with Hardson after lunch. Just while the train reaches Chelyabinsk. We have here, a whole chess club has formed.

— So we will do… Let it pass for now. Excuse me.

— Gavrila Andreevich Altunin, at your service. Of course, without a doubt. Very glad to see you, Veronika Evgenievna! I always treat with the greatest respect to your father, Evgeny Petrovich Samoilov.

— Very glad, Gavrila Andreevich! Veronica smiled very tightly, but, we are in a hurry, right.

And then the ray of the sun sparkled across the sapifir in the earring of her ear, reflected from the golden brooch on the dress, and flashed right into Altunin’s eye. He squeezed his eyes shut and covered his face with his palm. Everything turned out as if by accident, but they were able to calmly retreat. To be honest, Losunov believed in a happy chance, in incredible luck. So, once, a bullet hit him in the handle of a checker, instead of killing him. And now, just pulled the young lady by the hand, and they quickly found themselves in the vestibule of the car.

— A very unpleasant man. Although very smart. she whispered, and kissed him on the cheek, but we must go.

They found themselves in the cabin of a restaurant car, at the table where Filimon stood, as if at a battle flag.

— Your nobility, ordered everything! And Guryev porridge, of course!

— Thanks.

Then Losunov took out a piece of paper and a pencil, wrote something, and gave it to the batman. He nodded and quickly left. The staff captain slightly moved the chair for Veronica, then helped to sit down, then sat down himself.

— Your nobility, Mademoiselle, is all set. Order to serve hot? And yes, Mademoiselle, the ear is ready for your order too. However, both muksun and omul, everything is in the best possible form.

— Yes, of course, — Veronica said, smiling, — I hope to surprise you.

And at the table opposite in the company of Sofia Serebryakova sat the Lzhelord Hardson. Young people talked sweetly, they were served cold snacks and wine.

Well, they brought the long-awaited ear. Indeed, the aroma was amazing, but Lukull probably would have given all his wealth for a spoon, no, a small spoon of such a dish! But, of course, all this was with a kind of French accent in cooking. Carefully cut potatoes, fish completely devoid of bones. Then, with the triumphant smile of the triumphant, the waiter brought the salient. It was easily fried muksun with potatoes, a dish that even Saints Francis and John Chrysostom, known for their rejection of carnal pleasures, would like to try.

— How are you?” Veronica asked Cavalier

— This is better than in Palkin, on Nevsky.

— I agree. Still, here are wonderful cooks.

— Now it’s my turn, Veronica.

“Then we’ll have a cup of tea and sit quietly.

To tell the truth, the young lady ate quite a bit, but tried everything from the pitch. Tea brought the strongest, brewed in Siberian, Losunov fully appreciated it. But now, the waiter brought his order. Two dishes covered in delicate silver metal lids. He opened with the dexterity of a note magician, and with a deft gesture put this treat in front of the guests.

— What is it?” Is it a cake? Veronica asked, tasting a piece.

— No, Veronica, — Nikolai answered smiling, — this is Guryev’s porridge, pretend to yourself. Semolina porridge, layers transferred whipped cream, and pieces of fruit.

— The most beautiful cake I tried, — said the young lady.

However, Losunov noticed that the train began to slow down, and through the window it was noticeable how the landscape of the railway track was changing. More and more houses nearby, employees at the semaphore met their composition. The staff captain noticed how Hardson quickly got up, awkwardly kissed Sophia’s hand, put the bill on the table, and quickly left the restoran car. Volkrv jumped up to meet him with a chessboard, but the Briton only removed this man as an annoying hindrance. Just pushed aside.

— Veronica, I’m just for a minute… Sorry…

The young lady nodded gracefully. A waiter stood nearby, Losunov quickly took out a bill of twenty-five rubles and gave it to him. The cap, as if by itself, appeared on the head of the staff captain, and he quickly followed Hardson. It arose, and Altunin immediately disappeared, seeing the tense, icy face of Losunov.

The right pocket habitually weighed down the “Browning,” at such moments it was impossible to take risks, as the headquarters captain of the Semenovsky regiment cut off his doubts. The doors flashed, one by one, opening and closing behind him. Finally, I saw the employees of the train crowded in front of the closed doors. There was also a discouraged false Hardson.

— What is it, Mr. Officer! What are the orders here! — he shouted, — immediately call the police!

“It’s up to the gendarmes, Eyvan, or whatever you are. Stand where you stand, and do not try to run!

Losunov pulled a pistol out of his pocket and cocked the shutter. He shook his head negatively, looking eye to eye at the Englishman who had turned gray.

— Gendarmes! — and the conductor just jumped out of the car onto the platform and rushed to run to the station.

Anticipating a new sight, idle townsfolk began to gather at the car. And then, everyone is interested in what kind of noise yes gam.

— This is some mistake, staff captain,” Hardson began to say, “You thought God knows what.” You’d better order your man let George go, and let us quietly get off the train. Otherwise, you will face dire consequences.

— Nothing, I’ll survive them somehow. And you have to see how good Siberian hard labor is. I guarantee you will learn a lot of interesting things for yourself. At least it won’t be boring. Several years.

— I’ll complain!

— Your right.