– 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.