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…