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.