Читать книгу Hunt for Wunderwaffe. Immortal - Сергей Соловьёв - Страница 6

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…