Читать книгу Hunt for Wunderwaffe. Immortal - Сергей Соловьёв - Страница 5

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.