The Ghost of Dracula

By Olga Kryuchkova

Russia, 19th century. A retired lieutenant Alexei Polyansky receives an invitation to serve in the newly formed Corps of Gendarmes. He is immediately given his first assignment; investigating the “Knaves of Hearts,” a Moscow gang engaged in affairs with real estates and selling fake paintings. To the lieutenant’s great surprise, the threads of these seemingly banal crimes lead to the disclosure of an ancient mystery connected to the disappearance of a famous diamond called “The Rose of Versailles,” which Louis XIV gave to his mistress, Louise de La Vallière.

Soon after that, an even more mysterious crime is committed; inexplicable events occur on the Yaroslavl Estate belonging to count Shakhovsky, an avid collector of ancient weapons and armours. The owner is visited by the ghost of count Dracula. The old count dies under mysterious circumstances. The investigation leads Polyansky to a certain madam Libush, a lady with a very dark past…

• Language: English
• Publisher: BadPress
• Release date: Nov 30, 2019
• ISBN: 9781071518847

Olga Kryuchkova

Olga Kryuchkova began her creative career in 2006. During this time, the author had more than 100 publications and reprints (historical novels, historical adventures, esotericism, art therapy, fantasy). A number of novels were co-written with Elena Kryuchkova.

Book preview

Olga Kryuchkova

The Ghost of Dracula

Russia, 19th century. A retired lieutenant Alexei Polyansky receives an invitation to serve in the newly formed Corps of Gendarmes. He is immediately given his first assignment; investigating the Knaves of Hearts, a Moscow gang engaged in affairs with real estates and selling fake paintings. To the lieutenant’s great surprise, the threads of these seemingly banal crimes lead to the disclosure of an ancient mystery connected to the disappearance of a famous diamond called The Rose of Versailles, which Louis XIV gave to his mistress, Louise de La Vallière.

Soon after that, an even more mysterious crime is committed; inexplicable events occur on the Yaroslavl Estate belonging to count Shakhovsky, an avid collector of ancient weapons and armours. The owner is visited by the ghost of count Dracula. The old count dies under mysterious circumstances. The investigation leads Polyansky to a certain madam Libush, a lady with a very dark past...

Part One: The Rose of Versailles

Prologue

Duchess de Saint-Remy woke up in a bad mood. Despite the fact that it was almost noon, the illustrious beauty felt broken and devastated after attending a ball in Versailles the night before at the invitation of His Majesty, king of France, Louis XIV. The thing was that the king sometimes – unwittingly, without being aware of it or on the contrary, deliberately, who knew?! – confided in the duchess and told her his innermost secrets. Yesterday at the ball, while they were gracefully dancing the minuet, the Sun King casually hinted to madam de Saint-Remy that he was fascinated by his cousin, Henrietta of England.

The duchess evaluated His Majesty’s taste; indeed, Henrietta of England, the French king Louis XIV’s cousin, the daughter of the executed English king Charles I and the French princess Henrietta Maria, was an extremely active, lively and witty woman. She was always surrounded by the most elegant cavaliers and the most beautiful girls and willingly immersed herself into the company of talented poets and playwrights. Life in her entourage teemed with excitement, from dawn until dusk, they would enjoy all kinds of pastime, swimming, hunting, catching butterflies or watching theatrical performances.

In addition, the king’s cousin was uncommonly beautiful; a tall, slender and graceful brunette with pale pink skin and bright blue eyes. It was not surprising that the Sun King preferred to spend time in her company instead of his pious and scrawny wife, the Spanish princess Maria Theresa.

Incidentally, Louis confessed to duchess de Saint-Remy that he had almost married Henrietta in his youth and he even expressed regret because matrimonial and political reasons prevented him from turning that dream into reality.

The clever and shrewd intriguer, duchess de Saint-Remy immediately understood where His Majesty was going with that; she was well aware of the fact that Henrietta had long become a bargaining chip between the French and English courts. Even her marriage to Philippe of Orléans was essentially fiction for Henrietta’s precious husband preferred men to his charming and beautiful wife, which was not a secret to anyone.

Unlike Philippe who by virtue of his own complexes liked to humiliate and insult Henrietta, Louis XIV tried to console his cousin when she visited her homeland. This time, the affair between the king and the beautiful princess was developing in front of his entire court.

Maria Theresa felt insulted and personally wrote a letter to Philippe of Orléans, explaining in great detail what his wife was doing with her cousin, the illustrious Sun King. Oddly enough, the cuckold – if he could even be called that – also considered himself insulted and demanded his unfaithful wife’s immediate return to England. However, even though the clouds in Versailles were gradually gathering above her head, Henrietta was not in a hurry to go back.

Not satisfied with the letter to Philippe, Maria Theresa complained to her mother-in-law, Anne of Austria, as well. Maria Theresa knew exactly what kind of influence Anne of Austria had on her son so she counted on her support.

She was not wrong. Mother and son had an unpleasant conversation after which Louis was in a bad mood for a long time. Maria Theresa rejoiced for her rival was eliminated! Alas, she was wrong about that... Louis was in fact simply thinking about how to continue seeing Henrietta without causing jealousy in his wife and irritation in his mother.

After hearing the king out, duchess de Saint-Remy, who was wise in amorous affairs, gave His Majesty a brilliant idea while moving her slender legs in the next intricate figure; Louis should pretend to be carried away by a different lady, but she should be one of Henrietta’s maids! Naturally, he should display appropriate signs of affection towards his new lover publicly, perhaps even bring her closer to himself... Thus, the true lovers, Henrietta and Louis, would have the opportunity of seeing each other in the future without causing jealousy to Maria Theresa, rage to Philippe of Orléans and irritation to mother dearest.

The king was delighted by the genius simplicity of this solution to his problem and immediately asked the duchess to search for a suitable candidate for the role of his new mistress. Madam de Saint-Remy smiled sweetly in response, already aware that she had given the king a somewhat rash piece of advice; alas, all the maids from Henrietta’s entourage were very attractive and every single one of them would not only accept the king’s courtship with joy, but also try to replace her lady completely. They required an entirely different woman for the conceived intrigue. And the duchess had not seen such women in the royal court so far...

That was the reason why she woke up with a headache and completely exhausted the morning after the ball. During her morning toilette, the duchess frantically went over all the ladies of suitable age in her mind. Alas, she could not think of any girl who was modest and shy by nature, who would be able not to claim the heart of the king and smoothly fit into the conceived affair.

Suddenly it dawned on the duchess; there was, of course, her distant cousin Louise de La Vallière! She was indeed a suitable candidate for Henrietta’s maid, who would act as a cover. Not only had the girl been born in the province and therefore modest, unpretentious and shy, but she was far from being beautiful. And to top it all, she walked with a limp!

...Louise de La Vallière was born in Touraine, in the family of duchess de Saint-Remy’s second cousin. The girl loved horses from early childhood. She was magnificent in the saddle so she took the horses out for a many-hour ride every day in all kinds of weather. She easily managed even the young, unbroken colts. Unfortunately, this passion for horses eventually led to tragedy; when Louise was eleven, she fell of a horse, broke her leg and damaged her spine. However, this sad circumstance did not affect her future love for horses. As a result, she became bashful and withdrawn because she was clearly ashamed of her physical weakness. Louise preferred solitude, having become brooding and taciturn, which was unsuitable for her age. She even picked white and grey shades for her clothing because she did not want to attract unnecessary attention to herself...

Madam de Saint-Remy tried to remember the last time she saw Louise. Apparently, it had been almost six years ago. Yes, just after that unfortunate fall from the horse... Having heeded the pleas of her impoverished cousin and since she sincerely pitied the girl, she went to Touraine and brought a skilled doctor with her. Alas, the doctor was powerless and her second cousin was doomed to being lame for the rest of her life...

The duchess perked up and her headache receded. The servants brought her stationery and she immediately wrote a letter to her second cousin in the godforsaken Touraine. In the letter, the duchess insisted that Louise, as a young girl to be married, should immediately come see her in Paris and promised that she would arrange the girl’s fate favourably.

The letter brought Louise back to life, so to speak. No longer hoping for any worldly pleasures, she had made a decision to retire to a Discalced Carmelites convent in the near future. Inspired by the promises of her noble relative, the girl immediately wrote a reply in which she expressed her immense gratitude, even recalling the sad event of six years ago when you, aunt, were so kind that you not only visited me, but brought your physician as well.

Having sent the letter and packed her simple wardrobe, Louise said goodbye to her father and left for Paris, where madam de Saint-Remy was eagerly waiting for her.

Intuition did not fail the crafty intriguer. In the provincial cousin who arrived in Paris, she saw exactly what she was expecting; meekness, timidity, appealing naiveté and... A limp which not a single dress could hide, not even the most elegant one. After a couple of days, madam de Saint-Remy ordered a couple of very decent dresses for her niece from a well-known Parisian modiste. Now she started referring to Louise as her pupil and began teaching the girl manners. Alas, Louise turned out to be an indifferent student, too simple-minded for the subtle cunning that was required in court.

This fact increasingly made the duchess despair. She pitied the time wasted on this grey mouse, as she called her pupil behind her back, and the large amount of money spent on her maintenance. Most importantly, the duchess was afraid that she would disappoint the king with her choice. In turn, Louis more and more insistently demanded to be presented with his new chosen one, whom he should court before the eyes of all his subjects and who should cause neither jealousy nor irritation, but only indulgence and sympathy, according to the scenario.

When madam de Saint-Remy’s despair reached its peak, she presented Louise de La Vallière to Henrietta of England first, at her own risk. When the latter saw the girl, the true embodiment of modesty and naivety, she was immediately delighted and, having led the duchess aside, expressed her immense gratitude to her benefactor, adding that this young person would be the best shield from Maria Theresa’s jealousy and Philippe of Orléans’ rage.

Indeed, the English cuckold soon received another letter from Maria Theresa in which she told him about her husband’s new lover without hiding her sarcasm. This time, it was a certain lame Louise de La Vallière of whom the entire Versailles was making fun. Even I, the wife of one of the most handsome men in all Europe, Maria Theresa added, am not offended by such adultery. Philippe of Orléans rejoiced; his precious wife was humiliated once again! And where?! In her own homeland. And by whom?! Her own cousin and former lover! After receiving this letter, he no longer insisted on Henrietta’s return to England.

Henrietta enjoyed the peace. It seemed to her that by giving Louise de La Vallière a place in her entourage, she fully insured herself against her husband’s reproaches, Maria Theresa’s jealousy and, of course, the infidelity of her beloved royal cousin. However, the beautiful princess had brutally miscalculated when it came to the latter.

The Sun King played his role properly, demonstratively showing Louise the due signs of attention. The girl blushed every time and got confused, which provided everyone else with a lot of pleasure. This circumstance especially amused the beautiful Henrietta; sometimes she would barely be able to restrain herself from laughing out loud.

At that memorable ball, Louis promised madam de Saint-Remy a generous reward for the service rendered. Soon after meeting Louise, he had the minister of finance Fouquet give the duchess ten thousand livres. Such generosity somewhat puzzled Fouquet – the treasury was almost empty! However, when he tried to bring that to the king – the fact that there were more important tasks in the kingdom than paying crafty intriguers – he brought wrath and disgrace upon himself. Louis suspected that the minister himself was embezzling public funds. Fouquet hated the fact that he had allowed himself to be excessively impertinent... Rumours started going around Versailles that the finance minister’s days were numbered.

The king had repeatedly expressed his dissatisfaction with the way Nicolas Fouquet was excessively draining the treasury entrusted to him, using the funds to buy lands, palaces, works of art and mistresses for himself. In addition, Louis had long intended to get rid of Fouquet, who was very valued by Anne of Austria and the late cardinal Mazarin. Besides, he did not like when his subjects contradicted his wishes.

Rather nervous, Fouquet feared the king would get even angrier so he decided to arrange a luxurious celebration in honour of His Majesty and his entourage in Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte. Alas, that was another rash step which served as another proof of embezzlement. Having seen the extravagance unacceptable for a mere mortal with his own eyes, the king finally strengthened his decision; the finance minister’s place was in the Bastille.

While the guests were entertained by actors – forest nymphs fluttered around the stage and they were pursued by half-naked fauns – Louis was obviously bored so he expressed a desire to take a walk along park alleys accompanied by several courtiers and he left the pavilion. As he walked away from the summer theatre and gained some distance, he heard muffled female voices, one of which he recognised without a doubt. The voice belonged to Louise de La Vallière. Having sent his attendants away with a gesture, Louis carefully stepped onto the grass and while trying to remain unnoticed, headed towards the gazebo.

Comfortably alone with another maid, Ora de Motale, Louise was sharing some secrets with her new friend and at the moment when the Sun King approached the gazebo hidden by a bousquet[1], Louise was confessing that she did not love the Majesty in Louis, but the man... Touched by what he had heard, the king suddenly felt a surge of affection and... desire for the grey mouse. In order not to disturb the ladies, he quietly left his hiding place and returned to the theatre pavilion.

His Majesty was immediately approached by Henrietta of England, but Louis only gave her an indifferently kind smile. Having noticed the apparent coldness of her lover, the shrewd woman carefully asked about the reason for it and the king plainly told her that, by a whim of fate, he had fallen in love with the maid who was appointed to hide their affair. Henrietta felt ill and hurried to leave the hospitable Fouquet Palace.

The king’s quarrel with Henrietta did not escape the minister’s attention. Fouquet realised that the moment had come for him to regain the king’s favour and he quickly retired to his chambers. Having taken the cherished key off his neck, he opened a secret door behind the painting of a full-bodied Danaë[2] and took a small velvet box from the hiding place. Fouquet opened it and, for the last time, looked at the pink diamond he had received a few months ago from a famous Parisian jeweller who was hoping that the minister would help him acquire the castle of Monteils and the surrounding lands. The jeweller told Nicolas Fouquet the story of the diamond; it had once belonged to a noble Moorish family who had fled to France from the persecution of Isabella of Aragon. The minister had no doubt that this rock would give the king pleasure and he would allow him to remain at the helm of power!

When Fouquet returned to the theatre pavilion with his cherished box, the performance was coming to an end. Sated by the half-naked nymphs and fauns and their overly open actions, the guests were bored. The minister looked at Louis. The latter was not hiding his indifference to what was happening on the stage, obviously looking for someone amongst the colourful crowd of guests. At the sight of Louise de La Vallière appearing from an alley, the king perked up and Fouquet guessed right that it was this lame maid from illustrious Henrietta of England’s entourage who had now taken possession of his heart. Seizing the right moment when the king had already given in to love fantasies, the minister addressed him,

Your Majesty!

Louis looked at his subject indifferently,

What do you want, Fouquet?

Pardon my impertinence, your Majesty... I simply wanted to present you with a little trinket so that it would serve as a fitting ornament for the one who is occupying your mind at the moment.

The king raised his eyebrows in surprise and looked at the alley again, Louise and Ora were walking ever so slowly...

And you, Fouquet, are familiar with my thoughts?

The minister bowed.

How could I be, Your Majesty?! That would be an unheard of impertinence on my part! Forgive me... without wasting any more words, the minister opened the velvet case. A pink diamond of marvellous beauty and rose cut[3] appeared before Louis’ eyes.

What a beautiful thing! the king exclaimed and reached for the diamond, unable to resist temptation.

Ah, Your Majesty, I am so glad I have pleased you! Naturally, the size of this stone cannot compete with the diamonds of great moguls or Indian Rajas, but pay attention to its marvellous pink colour! And its transparency! This diamond feels like it was made for decorating the most beautiful and delicate neck, Fouquet looked at the king pointedly.

Louis admired the valuable gift with obvious pleasure. Having turned to the arch decorated with wild roses, he looked at the roses through the stone.

This diamond resembles a rose with its colour and cut, the monarch said. And suddenly exclaimed, Let it be called Rose from now on! The Rose of Versailles!

Fouquet bowed, trying to hide the smile which lit his contended face and Louis hurried to meet Louise de La Vallière, who was destined to become the owner of this unusual diamond.

***

Alas, the Rose of Versailles did not save the finance minister of being imprisoned in the Fortress of Pignerol, it only postponed the sad event. So the squirrel which was hurriedly ascending on the Fouquet family coat of arms – Quo non ascendam?[4] – had finally fallen down...

The owner of the Rose of Versailles did a bit better; for almost ten years, she remained the king’s favourite mistress and even bore three children unto him. However, all things end sooner or later and so the love of Louis and Louise de La Vallière ended as well.

Having waited for the king until dawn one night, Louise intuitively guessed that he had fallen out of love with her and would not visit her anymore. Despairing, Louise put on her most modest cloak, covered her face with a cowl, left the Tuileries Palace and headed towards Chaillot convent, having taken the only and most precious gift her beloved ever gave her, the Rose of Versailles diamond.

Having seen the weeping court lady wearing an elegant dress under the old cloak, mother superior of the convent was shocked. Not knowing what to do, she told Louise to pray in one of the chapels in the convent. The young girl’s desperation was so great that she simply lay down on the cold stone slabs in front of the statue of Mary and stayed there for many hours, praying and crying.

Having subsequently learned Louise’s whereabouts, the king put off the state affairs and rushed to Chaillot, begging her to return. However, Louise remained adamant; she already knew that Louis had been seriously carried away by a young beautiful lady, Athénaïs de Montespan, and was well aware that she would not be able to oppose the assertive countess, who was not averse to resorting to black magic, according to rumours.

Still, Louis managed to persuade Louise not to leave her worldly life behind. He gave her former lover a mansion near Palais Royal and even visited her there at first. When Athénaïs de Montespan finally took possession of all his thoughts, Louis – for redemption – granted his former lover the title of duchess and the vast estates of Vermandois, where she settled with her youngest daughter Marie Anne.

Only after she had fully enjoyed the grandeur and quiet of the Vermadois castle, Louise de La Vallière decided to became a nun and spent her entire life in the Discalced Carmelites convent. Shortly before her complete renunciation of worldly life, she, fearing for the destiny of the Rose of Versailles – for she could not take the stone with her to the convent – placed the precious gift into a box made from Saxon porcelain with a lock and along with her other possessions, movable and immovable, passed it into the possession of her daughter, Marie Anne de Le Blanc de La Vallière.

Who can be compared with my Matilda?

Pyotr Tchaikovsky, Iolanta

Chapter 1

1827, Moscow

Alexei Fyodorovich Polyansky left the house and, leaning on his cane, slowly walked along the Linen Alley. It was a warm day. Although it was only the end of April, the sun was shining like it were summer.

He turned into the Bread Alley where he loved to sit on a bench, especially in warm weather. Sitting under the trees, which had already begun to grow young leaves, he rested his hands on his cane like an old man and pondered his life.

Suddenly, Polyansky remembered Andrei Genrikhovich Ghrachev. It had been two years since they saw each other... And the last conversation that took place between them was not amongst the most pleasant ones.

...On that day, two years ago, Andrei Genrikhovich enlisted in the Second branch of Corps of Gendarmes[5]. He had been a good doctor before that but, alas, his practice did not work out and the gendarmes offered him a good salary and, if he so wished, they would have given him an official coat. However, Andrei Genrikhovich preferred civilian clothes and refused the uniform.

Upon meeting Polyansky, Ghrachev repeatedly offered his old friend to follow his example and enlist in the Second branch of the gendarmes. Alexei Fyodorovich joked about it for a long time, but then broke under the pressure one day and was rude to Andrei Genrikhovich. He said that his pride did not allow him to serve in the gendarmes. Ghrachev was offended because he was already serving! How would he support his family?! He needed to buy clothes and shoes for his daughters and provide them with good education! What did pride have to do with it?!

However, Polyansky was adamant. Even though, deep in his soul, he knew that surviving on a single military pension infringed upon his pride even more. What was pride anyway? Human dignity and noble honour!

So now, almost two years later, Alexei Fyodorovich came to the following conclusion; to hell with his pride! He wanted to eat every day! And he had nothing to wear anymore; all his coats were worn out...

The lieutenant felt anguish. This is not life, but a pathetic vegetation... I have had enough! I will go to Ghrachev, apologise and ask for help. If I can, I will start catching murderers, sectarians and fraudsters. Perhaps it will be more interesting than I think it is. And I will not have to think about money all the time...

***

The next day, early on a Sunday morning, Polyansky woke up with a firm determination to go see Andrei Genrikhovich. He had some tea, put on the last decent coat he had, a brown one, and a hat worn out from years of use and set out to find a coachman.

After catching a breath of fresh air, Alexei Fyodorovich decided that the Trubnikovsky Alley was not very far away and he could walk there. Having leaned on his cane more comfortably, given his face a benevolent expression and mustered up some confidence, he went to see his old acquaintance...

Andrei Genrikhovich had just had a hearty breakfast and was in an excellent mood. So when his servant informed him that mister Polyansky was there to see him, he only chuckled in surprise and briefly said,

Let him in!

Polyansky entered the lounge. Since his last visit to Ghrachev’s house, there was noticeably more furniture and paintings on the walls, which were covered with fashionable Italian wallpaper... The lieutenant became confused and visibly nervous.

Andrei Genrikhovich was a forgiving man and had long forgotten the last unpleasant conversation with his friend. As if nothing had happened, he exclaimed,

My dear Alexei Fyodorovich! I am glad, so very glad that you have found some time to visit me! Please be seated... I will order some tea and French pastries for you.

At the mention of French pastries, the hungry Polyansky swallowed nervously and sat down on an offered stool opposite of the host.

Using his experienced gendarme eye which he had acquired after serving two years in the Second branch, Ghrachev glanced at his guest and immediately realised that the latter was balancing between poverty and destitution. That was the reason why he was not in a hurry to discuss the purpose of his visit until his friend had a decent amount of tea and pastries. Finally, after he was sated, Polyansky himself got to the point of the matter for which he had visited Ghrachev.

Andrei Genrikhovich, do you remember our conversation from two years ago?

Ghrachev winced because he did not want to stir up the past.

The one when you told me about noble honour and pride?

Polyansky drooped,

Yes... That is exactly what I mean...

Why have you effaced yourself, Alexei Fyodorovich? You are a former combat officer! And now you seem lost like some poor girl marrying someone she does not love... By the way, many retired people agree with you; it is better to die of starvation than become a gendarme...

Having gathered his thoughts, Alexei Fyodorovich replied resolutely,

Believe it or not, I have changed my mind! And I am ready to serve if it is still possible...

Ghrachev raised his eyebrows in surprise.

Oh really? Well, my dear friend, I will be glad to assist you. I think everything will work out. You are a nobleman, an officer and a participant of the war... And your age is suitable for the job... Count Nikolai Egorovich Tsukhato, the chief of the Moscow gendarmes trusts people like you. I, in turn, will write an application since I have known you for many years and I know your good side...

***

Andrei Genrikhovich did not deceive his friend. The very next day when he came to work, he wrote an application to count Tsukhato. Having attached a request written by Polyansky during teatime yesterday, he gave it to his courier to be sent to the Central management of the gendarmes.

...Ten days had passed and Alexei Fyodorovich was still in the dark. Glasha, Polyansky’s maid, left him and went to a merchant’s house and he was now in a very difficult position, trying to maintain his household to the best of his male abilities.

Suddenly, there was a knock on the door. Limping, the lieutenant headed to the door. A brave young man in an official uniform stood on the threshold.

Do I have the honour of meeting mister Polyansky, Alexei Fyodorovich? the guest enquired.

It is I... the confused Polyansky muttered. What can I do for you?

I have a letter for you from the gendarmes’ management. Please, sign that you have received it, the courier handed a receipt to the stupefied and astonished lieutenant.

Alexei Fyodorovich timidly accepted the official piece of paper, approached his desk and signed his name mechanically.

Thank you. Here is your letter. the well-trained courier rapped out and handed an envelope to Polyansky. He accepted it with trembling fingers.

As soon as the door closed behind the courier, Alexei Fyodorovich rushed to get his scissors in the study. While he was opening the letter, he was so worried that he almost hurt his hand. Finally, having unfolded the snow-white piece of paper which had been inscribed by a very diligent secretary, Polyansky delved into the tidy ornate handwriting,

"To mister Alexei Fyodorovich Polyansky, lieutenant in retirement.

Having carefully considered your request and the application mister A. G. Ghrachev had written on your behalf, I hereby inform you that you have been accepted to serve in the Second branch of the gendarmes (with the preservation of your military rank) as an official in an investigation case.

In accordance with the appointed position, you are entitled to a salary of 40 roubles per month as well as a free formal uniform with insignia and a state apartment (if necessary).

...in April of this year, you are to report to the Second branch of Corps of Gendarmes on Vozdvizhenka Street under the command of colonel P. H. Euler.

Count Nikolai Egorovich Tsukhato."

The count’s wide signature concluded the letter.

***

The next day Polyansky somehow put himself in order and, without further ado, headed to the Corps of Gendarmes on Vozdvizhenka, right across The Church of the Holy Cross[6].

Having presented the formal letter signed by mister Tsukhato himself, without undue delay, he was accepted by the chief, Pavel Khristoforovich Euler.

The colonel’s office was rather spacious. He was sitting at a huge table, littered with various documents and two clerks were seated at tiny desks on the opposite side of him. Polyansky was surprised; how were clerks able to work at their desks – if desk was the appropriate word here – if they could only fit papers and inkwells on them?

Mister Euler carefully read the letter which the visitor had given him.

Well... Wonderful. We need additional people in our department. A nobleman, a lieutenant... Yes, yes, I remember, Pavel Khristoforovich finally looked up from the official document. So! You will get your uniform in two to three days... Now about the apartment... he looked at Polyansky questioningly.

Alexei Fyodorovich nodded readily,

If it is possible, colonel.

I preferred to be called by my first name, he remarked.

If it is possible, Pavel Khristoforovich.

That is better... Of course it is possible. You will have to go see Yakovlev, he is in charge of those things here. The colonel looked at Polyansky again, having immediately noticed that the lieutenant was in a disastrous condition. Perhaps we should give you a bigger salary? Let us say, another fifteen roubles?

Polyansky’s head spun from that amount of money and he became confused and embarrassed.

I see, mister Euler concluded. Jabin! he called out to one of the clerks. Draw up a document according to which mister Alexei Fyodorovich Polyansky gets a raise in the amount of fifteen roubles. I will sign it...

The insipid Jabin began to scribble rapidly on a piece of paper and a few minutes later, a document drawn up according to all the rules lay on Euler’s desk. The colonel signed his name carelessly.

Jabin, take mister Polyansky to Yakovlev and help him settle all the formalities about the apartment. Then, he turned his gaze to the new officer in charge of investigation, assume your work place! You need to delve into your work, my dear Alexei Fyodorovich... I am sure you know that we are drowning in our work! The situation in Moscow is very unfavourable and all criminal activities have increased beyond any measure... Have you heard that the house of a famous singer, Maria Finder, was robbed? All her jewellery and clothes were stolen... And the most important thing is that no one heard or saw anything! The singer performed in the restaurant Yar at the time. What is the conclusion? the colonel stared questioningly at Polyansky who had been listening carefully.

Maybe... I think that... Alexei Fyodorovich began timidly.

Well?! Be bold, lieutenant! I suppose that you were shooting at the French so much in the war that they ran in the opposite direction? Euler encouraged him.

Polyansky cleared his throat.

I think that the person who robbed missus Finder clearly knew everything about her lifestyle.

Pavel Khristoforovich’s eyes widened.

Good job! You are making progress with your first steps. No wonder mister Ghrachev praised you so much...

Chapter 2

It was October. Trees shed their red and yellow leaves plentifully. Moscow gardeners barely managed to sweep them into piles and burn them. Dressed in new clothes, which he could now afford thanks to his new salary, Alexei Fyodorovich exited his new apartment on Malaya Nikitskaya and, enjoying the autumn air with its ineffable aroma characteristic for this part of the year, hired a coachman.

Where would you like to go, sir? the latter enquired obligingly.

Mokhovaya Street. Do you know where mister Euler lives? Polyansky asked while settling down in the carriage.

The driver grunted and glanced sideways at the passenger.

Who doesn’t know him, your grace? he replied, quickly realising that this gentleman was a member of the gendarmes. We will be there in no time!

Not so fast, my dear. First we will make a stop at Trubnikovsky. At the very beginning of the alley there is a light-green two-storey house. You will stop near it. And then we will go to Mokhovaya.

Whatever you say, your grace.

The driver cracked the whip and the carriage was under way.

Alexei Fyodorovich was sitting comfortably and watching the passing houses with pleasure. He