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4. «DICTATOR»

The capacious drawing room of the banker Goldzak who bought recently baronial title was trimmed with heavy magnificence. On the walls trimmed with the carved oak panel horns of deer and the coats of arms of the newly appeared baron flaunted. In a corner the knight in armor and with a sword of the 13th century – doubtful «ancestor» of the baron was located. At windows with narrow lattices color glasses represented the same baronial coat of arms: on a yellow board the hand bent in an elbow chained in armor squeezed an iron glove a sword. Over a hand – five dark blue stars.

In the middle of the room around a big round a black oak table on oak chairs with high carved backs members of the central committee of the German political organization «Diktator» sat. On a chair with higher back, with a carved German state eagle at its top the chairman of the meeting – the old general, one of «heroes» of imperialistic war, the Kaiser’s friend sat. A rough face of the general as if cut by the axe from a piece of a tree, densely compressed bays under the moustaches raised up spoke about big will power. From under the hung gray-haired eyebrows the inquisitive, seldom blinking eyes looked out. On its uniform frock coat only «the iron cross» flaunted.

On the right side from the chairman the host – the baron Goldzak, in a black dress coat, with absolutely bald head, shaven, with a monocle in an eye was located. Further in a strict order, on a rank, members of the committee were located. The general with a narrow forehead, deeply put eyes and an outstanding chin. Something cruel, animal was in this head. Still general… Officials of the ministries, deputies… Large manufacturers and bankers closed a circle.

The young-looking person in a dress coat, with the person and the diplomat’s manners – the secretary of committee – did the report. On a table about it issue of Izvestia with Gorev’s article «Victory over a dream and fatigue of professor Wagner» lay. Here a translation of article into German.

– We did not check up to the end reliability of the data provided in article yet, but, according to the data which are available already for us, apparently, she answers reality.

I should not speak about value of this discovery. If it is used by the Soviet Russia, the ratio of forces between it and other states of the world considerably will change. In some five years power of the Bolshevism will extraordinary grow.

Simultaneous work as both brain hemispheres, fortunately, demands time and a training and therefore it is not absolutely available to masses. But one victory over a dream and fatigue already triples physical and intellectual forces of our political opponents, at the same time and their material resources. Their scientific forces and skilled workers will work three times and even six times more. Production of the industry will increase. In several years they will have new shots of well trained staff in all areas of the equipment. In a word, their power will grow is unceasing. They will work when the whole world sleeps. They will work when we are forced to have a rest after day of work.

– Well, growth of the industry will happen not so soon – the manufacturer told. – Let’s put, all their plants and factories will work day and night. But further?. It will be not so easy to get the credits for construction of new factories and plants to them. You, the baron, will not grant them the loan? – with a smile he addressed Goldzak.

The baron answered with the same smile and started up a smoke ringlet.

– But there is other danger – the hoarse voice of the general was heard. – I speak about military power of Red army. What if only eight of sixteen «additional» hours a day it is used by them for military training of workers and peasants? It is equivalent to creation of multimillion army. Further, during war they will have fighters who do not need rest. They should not replace soldiers in entrenchments. They will be always sharp-sighted, vigilant, fresh while at us two thirds of soldiers temporarily fail for a dream and rest. Their pilots who are not knowing were tired, will be able to make distant flights… Their command structure, their headquarters will be able to direct operations, without producing threads of management for one minute for rest and a dream. It is possible that they use means of professor Wagner also over horses. Their wagon trains, their cavalry will not know fatigue. All this is too serious!.

The speech of the old general made a great impression on a meeting, in particular on military. Generals frowned, nervously drummed fingers, dragged on cigars more deeply…

– But the most dangerous – the secretary rose again – consists in political value of the fact. Already now the Bolshevism shakes the world, keeps the governments of all countries of the world in constant nervous tension. Wagner’s means triples, or perhaps even ushesteryat number of Bolsheviks. Here, in the circle, we can be frank. We do not know how to cope with one leader of Communistic International. What will be if this leader has an opportunity to work six times more? We will have six such leaders, the Komintern six times increased, millions of Russian Bolsheviks who are not knowing were tired, propagandizing and decomposing masses day and night, day and night, for twenty four hours a day!!

These arguments made a tremendous impression. Hands of the audience shivered, scarfs wiped cold sweat on foreheads and bald heads…

– It is awful!.

– Nightmare! – uneasy voices were heard.

There came terrible silence. It seemed, terrible ghosts got suddenly into this office and filled it with chilling breath of death.

At last the chairman of the meeting shook the head and knocked a hairy fist on a table.

– It cannot be allowed! – hoarsely he shouted. – By all means we have to eliminate the menacing danger! Before the invention of professor Wagner becomes property of Bolsheviks, we have to seize a secret of professor Wagner!

And, induced by fear and hatred, the meeting passed to discussion of a question of how to make it.

One baron Goldzak did not take part in a meeting. To it already grandiose plans were drawn. He thought of that how many it is possible to benefit by opening of professor Wagner if the secret of this opening appears in his hands.

5. «FAN OF SCIENCES»

After trial all schedule of occupations of professor Wagner was violated. To it correspondents of newspapers and magazines, professors, students and just curious public wishing to try «powder from a dream» were. Professor Wagner already got used to these visits and therefore was not surprised when he heard as behind a door someone with a German accent asked for permission to enter.

When the door opened, professor uvidat the young man with a chubby, pink face and the short curling fair hair. Big «fashionable» tortoise points somehow did not go to this young face. The perfect suit gave to the stranger the European look.

– May I introduce myself, dear sir professor!. Herman Taube, member of the Berlin society of fans of natural sciences. From this society I also came to you… Your opening extremely interested us. And society addresses to you with the most obedient request: you could not give in our circle several lectures about your works?

– Unfortunately, I have no time.

– Oh, it will not take a lot of time! – the young man began to fuss. Its female voice was raised to the highest notes, eyes looked prositelno through tortoise hoops of points. It even inclined the head on one side and squeezed hands. – If only you agreed!. If only agreed! For us it will be such holiday! I am the not scientific, but passionate fan of science. My father is rich… is very rich… If you wished, you would find at us all necessary for your works… We would equip to you fine laboratory… tens, hundreds of dogs would be at your disposal!.

Wagner smiled.

– You are very kind, but, unfortunately, I have to reject your offer. I am not going to leave Russia.

– What a pity!. Oh, what a pity! It seemed to me that here to work… what there to work… But you will not refuse to give at us several lectures! It will take only several days. We will go in the air way, on the passenger airplane of the new company of air traffics «Uenshetlikh унд Bekvemkheyt» – «Safety and convenience». Quite justifies the name… Successfully competes with Deruluft… I undertake all efforts on vising of passports. We will not speak about expenses and the fee… We, of course, undertake everything…

– I could spend for this business no more than three-four hours. I too value time. Do not forget that I have sixfold productivity. If I spend only two days, then for me they will be equal to loss of twelve. No, I cannot accept your offer!

– I am extremely upset. And the head of our laboratory professor Braude will be even more upset. It works in the same area, as you. But its method a bit different…

Professor Wagner quickened.

– Here is how! In what its method?

– He tries … – Taube was confused a little. His face expressed the thought tension as though he wanted to remember something. – It works on method which will give the chance to the organism to produce toxins against гип… гип…

But Wagner already guessed a thought.

– Just I work on it now! Our newspapers exaggerated my progress on this way a little…

– I not from newspapers! – broke at Taube. It reddened from disappointment on itself (himself). – Professor Braude works several years in this area. He so wanted to get acquainted with you and to share experience!. It is very a pity that now it is necessary to upset him…

– It changes business! I think that loss of time will be rewarded… Professor Braude?. I did not hear something about it.

– Young and extremely modest… does not love advertizing… But it is scary ingenious!.

– I agree!

Taube rushed to professor and began to shake his hands.

– Thousand thanks! And I will take care of departure. You will not waste minutes the precious time!

And, having fawned, it was behind a door.

«Strange young man. Dogs wanted to bribe me!» – professor Wagner thought after his leaving.

6. «UENSHETLIKH UND BEKVEMKHEYT»

Early in the morning the passenger-and-mail airplane was removed from airfield and quickly began to gain height. In a cozy cabin on easy leather chairs took place: professor Wagner, Herman Taube, the diplomatic courier of the French Embassy in Moscow and the employee of the Soviet trade mission in Berlin.

If the hum of the motor which is not weakened by the advanced muffler yes smooth rocking, it was possible to think that you sit in a compartment of the car. Through mirror windows the panorama of Moscow with the coiling tape of the river below was seen. As toy, the Kremlin sparkling the domes seemed. And ahead the infinite carpet of fields and the woods which is cut up by yellowish lines of roads and blue windings of the rivers was already spread. Yellow squares allocated fields of the ripening rye. Here and there, as ants, moved on roads and people and animals pottered about on fields.

But professor Wagner not for long admired these bird’s-eye views. As the miser worries over each kopek, so Wagner valued every minute of time. He took out books, attached on a lap a folding lectern and turned to work. Reading the book, he at the same time continuously wrote something to notebooks with shorthand signs.

Having noticed an inquiring look of Taube, he explained:

– I write only shorthand. It is my own system. I reduce and I simplify work where it is possible. I created own system of mnemonic – this great assistant to whom, unfortunately, pay attention a little. By means of mnemonic I am able to store extraordinary large number of figures, formulas, names in memory. Business is facilitated by the fact that thanks to purity of my brain from which the toxins poisoning him are emitted it works with indefatigable clarity and force. All this increases productivity of my work even more. Without exaggeration, I work for ten…

And Wagner became silent, having gone deep into work.

Taube looked out of the window on a tableau vivant of the country, so unclear for it, such poor and at the same time powerful, peace in the developed pictures of work of peasants and the terrible that force which will organize millions of these strong hands…

Some river seemed in the distance. On high coastal hills the city was stretched. On the right coast the city was surrounded with ancient gear walls of the Kremlin with high towers. Over all city the huge five-domed cathedral reigned.

– Dnieper!. Smolensk!. Our first stop!.

The airplane flew by over the wood and smoothly fell by good airfield.

Have breakfast and started on a further journey. The sky tightened clouds. The gusty head wind shook the airplane as the ship on big ocean waves. The movement of flight was slowed down. Kovno nevertheless reached safely. It is the last stop in front of Konigsberg. Despite the increasing bad weather, the airplane went to a further way. Wind passed into a squall. Threw the airplane in the parties, abruptly lifted on counter air waves. Sometimes, as if having lost wings, the device promptly fell down.

– However – the French diplomatic courier told, having nervously caught a chair – I did not experience still such rolling!

His become green person said that it began a seasickness attack.

In search of a favorable air current the pilot cleared the bar, rushing into a foggy strip of clouds, decreased to the earth. But wind stormed equally everywhere, having decided to tear off device wings, appear.

Whistle of metal cables was heard even through rumble of the motor. The rain began. The gray veil prevented to be guided.

– Nothing, we will reach! – the employee of the Soviet trade mission shouted on an ear to the turned pale Taube. – We have to be about Insterburga…

The deafened and uneasy Taube understood nothing.

Professor Wagner scolded a storm which interrupted his studies. Books fell from hands, the pencil removed absolutely improbable scribble. At last he gave up work and with the offended look took seat more densely in a chair.

The rain stopped as unexpectedly as began. Also wind ceased. The strip of shaggy clouds was behind. The airplane went smoothly. All breathed a sigh of relief. But at this moment the motor began to miss and suddenly stopped.

The pilot quickly began to reduce the device the planning descent, sharp-sightedly looking out the convenient place. The device strongly shuddered, ran, shaking passengers, on the compressed field and stopped.

The pilot and the mechanic examined the motor.

– It is necessary to stop not less than an hour! – the mechanic told. Passengers left a cabin, warming up numb legs. The airplane stopped at an edge of the pine wood. Among equal as masts, reddish trunks the lake shining blue silver was seen.

– What beauty spot! – Taube told, addressing professor Wagner. – We will manage to make fine walk. By the way, we will meet someone from neighboring inhabitants and we learn where we are. You have nothing against?

Professor Wagner nodded, and they went deep into the wood. There passed hour. The motor was repaired, and Wagner and Taube still was not. Called to them, looked for in the wood, but they disappeared completely. Forty more minutes expired. The Frenchman began to insist on flying away.

– I carry urgent diplomatic mail to the ministry, and if we do not arrive to Konigsberg to flying away of the airplane to Paris, I will be late at many o’clock… It is inadmissible!.

The employee of the trade mission objected. Decided to postpone flying away for half an hour, continuing searches, but without success.

– We cannot spend the night here! – the Frenchman spoke. – They are not children. Will reach and by rail! I pay for urgency, and you have to bring me in time!

The pilot shrugged shoulders and took seat on the place. It was followed by the others. The motor hooted. The airplane rose in air.

7. IN CAPTIVITY

Professor Wagner was gone completely.

When learned about it in Moscow, Narkomindel requested the German government concerning this strange disappearance.

«The counter note in which the regret passed an opinion on this regrettable case was received from the German ministry of foreign affairs. «We take all measures to search, but, unfortunately, so far they did not yield results. We consider not superfluous to pay your attention that together with professor Wagner also the German subject Herman Taube disappeared. We believe that this fact removes from the German government any suspicions that in this case the hostile act in relation to professor Wagner as to the citizen of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics could take place. Accept an assurance of our sincere respect…»

Narkomindel, but as it was impossible to establish the facts accompanying disappearance of professor Wagner, of course, could not satisfy this answer, it was necessary to wait when this secret is anyway revealed.

To professor Wagner it happened here that.

When it went deep into the wood, Taube suggested it to examine ruins of the lock standing at the forest lake. Without suspecting anything, professor followed Taube. There already the ambush waited for them. Three disguised snatched on professor and tied with a scarf to him a mouth and eyes. Taube pulled out from professor’s hands a briefcase with papers which Wagner, going for walk, took with himself. Strong hands seated Wagner in the waiting car, and they started at way. Having passed no more than an hour, the car stopped; Wagner was entered into the house.

Professor was enraged.

– What does all this mean? – he asked, looking around at Taube when the bandage was removed from his eyes. But Taube was not. Was not also three people who kidnapped it. It was faced by the graceful young man in plain clothes a dress, with a martial bearing. He smiled in the most kind way.

– Dear professor, if you were not tired, then, likely, got hungry. We still will manage to talk. I ask to feel at home. Do not refuse to divide with me a dinner. The bed to you was not delivered, you do not sleep?

And it showed a hand on well served table with bottles of expensive wine.

– I thank you! I am not hungry – Wagner answered though he was very hungry. – I would ask you to have a talk with me!

– What a pity! – the young man answered with the same kind smile. – And we prepared for you your favourite dishes. I will not disturb. Unfortunately, I cannot wish you good night: you do not need it.

And it left with the invariable smile.

Professor Wagner looked round around. This room, in any case, did not remind a brothel of bandits. Everything was graceful, convenient and cozy around. Having slipped an eye on a table, he saw the smoking asparagus, green peas, salad.

Wagner, swallowing of saliva, turned away from a table and gloomy took seat in a chair. In completion of everything he lost a portfolio and could not be engaged. From time to time Wagner got up, approached to the door – it was closed. Lifted a curtain of a window and uvidat a dense iron lattice. Escape was impossible.

– What absurd! – he grumbled and, gloomy, fell to a chair again. So he stayed till the morning.

Early in the morning three in masks were and silently tied with a scarf to it a mouth and eyes, removed and seated in an easy chair. Earned the airplane motor. Professor felt how the device separated from the earth. Flight continued not less than three hours.

When to it untied eyes again, he saw before himself the same young man.

– Welcome, dear professor! I congratulate you on a housewarming! As we should spend time together, may I introduce myself: Heinrich Braude.

– Professor?

– Not absolutely – Braude smiled.

– But your experiences over fatigue?. I was spoken by Taube…

– Ah, here that!. Well, it is probably other Braude. Allow to enter you, so to speak, into possession… It is your office. – He made a hand roundabout, showing the capacious room with a big desk, oak furniture and a bookcase. Windows with opaque glasses were behind bars. – Here you will find everything that was written by scientists on a research of a dream and fatigue.

Despite all singularity of situation, Wagner could not keep and approached bookcases.

– Preyer… Errer… Bouchard… Klapared – he read on backs of books. – All this is old… Legendre, Pyeron… I am obliged to them by something…

– Certainly, you went further them! And here, dear professor whether it is necessary to go to laboratory!.

And they passed to other room.