German Matveev "Tarantula. German Matveev "Tarantula Matveev tarantula trilogy

The story "Tarantula" tells how Leningrad teenagers - Misha Alekseev and his friends - helped Soviet counterintelligence officers to catch a group of fascist agents operating in Leningrad during the war.

Intense events unfold in the story against the backdrop of the heroic defense of Leningrad. The defenders of the city are shown - people of different professions - who bravely endured the great difficulties of the blockade - hunger, cold, bombing, shelling - and selflessly giving all their strength to the defense of their native city and Motherland.

German Ivanovich Matveev
Tarantula

First book. green chains

1 Murder Mystery

The front was approaching Leningrad.

Along the railroads, along the highway, along forest paths and straight through the swamps, Leningraders returned home from defense work. They were accompanied by refugees. Having abandoned their native places, they left the enemy with their whole families, with young children in their arms, with huge bundles. Exhausted, dusty, they walked, bowing their heads, to Leningrad, hoping to find protection and shelter there.

In the other direction, towards the Germans, military units and detachments of the people's militia were moving.

Fascist planes kept appearing in the air, dropping bombs on the roads and pouring lead on the crowds of refugees. Hearing the growing rumble of aircraft, pedestrians shied away into the forest, lay down in the ditches. And again they went forward as soon as the planes were hiding.

Three young female students walked barefoot on a dusty country road. At a halt they were joined by two elderly men with suitcases. One of them, a one-armed veteran of the Civil War, had a cheerful disposition, talkative and helpful. The other, on the contrary, frowned all the way, thought about something intently and did not talk to anyone. Uncle Petya, as the one-armed man called himself, constantly told funny stories and anecdotes, asking the girls about their life before the war, about their studies and about Leningrad. He made cruel jokes after the German pilots, calling them "sausage makers", and seemed not to pay any attention to the mood of his companion. And he grew gloomier more and more, the closer they came to Leningrad.

By evening, along the forest paths, they passed Siverskaya and stopped to rest.

Come with me, - said the one-armed friend, noticing his angry look.

Without looking back or repeating the invitation, he went deeper into the forest.

Gloomy leaned his suitcase against a tree and reluctantly trudged along behind his comrade. Soon the students heard their loud voices. They could not make out the words, and especially did not listen to someone else's dispute. The argument suddenly ended. After about ten minutes, the gloomy one came out of the forest alone and, taking his suitcase, suggested that the girls move on.

Where is Uncle Petya? one of them asked.

He will overtake us.

We went out onto the highway, but the one-armed man did not appear. Gloomy silently walked first in front, then lagged behind a few steps, often looking around. Darkness came quickly. Behind, on the horizon, the glow of fires and some flashes were visible. The sound of cannon fire was muffled. At the turn, the gloomy one went off the road and shouted to the girls who were going ahead:

Take your time… I am now.

The girls did not attach any importance to these words and continued to quickly walk on. Suddenly there was a desperate cry. The girls heard some fuss in the dark and a hoarse male voice:

Nastya! .. Help! .. Come here! .. Nastya was the name of one of the students. She was older and more determined than her friends.

This is ours! - she said. - What's happened? Come on, girls.

All three quickly ran in the opposite direction.

Gloomy was still alive, but he could no longer speak. He was choking on his own blood. Nastya managed to make out only one word: "suitcase". The knife entered his chest up to the hilt, and before the girl could find it, it was all over. Their gloomy companion died.

Frightened, confused, they stood over the corpse, not knowing what to do next. They have seen a lot of terrible things in recent days. They had to hastily bandage the wounded many times, and some died in their arms, but there they knew the cause of death and saw the killers on the planes. The same murder was committed with some mysterious purpose, by an unknown person.

Suitcase! He said: "a suitcase" - Nastya said in thought. - Girls, look for a suitcase.

The girls searched the asphalt and the roadside near the corpse in the dark, but they did not find the suitcase. There was no time to waste searching. They left the dead man on the road and went. Having walked about twenty paces from the crime scene, Nastya, walking from the side of the road, stumbled over something hard and hurt her finger. She bent down and in the darkness she saw the outline of the suitcase. The friends who had gone forward stopped.

I stumbled on a stone, - Nastya said loudly and picked up the suitcase.

For some reason, she thought that it would be better to keep silent about her discovery for the time being. There is some mystery around the suitcase, and who knows, maybe the killer is watching them and listening, hiding somewhere nearby.

In complete darkness, on the asphalt heated during the day, three friends walked silently, all the while accelerating their steps. One said:

Maybe Uncle Petya was also killed?

Anything is possible, - Nastya responded.

He also had the same suitcase.

Shut up you...

Something I'm afraid, girls ...

The suitcase was heavy, as if it contained iron. He pulled his hand, and yet Nastya patiently carried him to the city.

... All this she, very worried, now told the major of state security, sitting in front of him in a leather chair.

The major, not yet an old man with gray temples, listened attentively to the girl's story and thought. The suitcase brought by Nastya to Leningrad and received by him last night was standing near the desk.

So you never saw Uncle Petya again? the major asked.

No. I'm afraid he was killed too.

The Major did not seem to have heard this phrase.

Did the victim also call him Uncle Petya?

I don't remember... No! He doesn't seem to have named him. In general, the victim was a strange person. He was silent all the time. At first we thought he was dumb.

What did he look like?

Who? Killed?

I already know what the dead man looked like. I'm interested in one-handed.

He was short… shaven… no longer young…

How old was he, in your opinion?

Forty years, I think...well, forty-five. His hair was cut short... Oh, yes!... There are two gold teeth in his mouth... That, it seems, is all.

How did he manage his hand?

Very good. It's just that we even wondered how deftly he does everything with one hand.

What was he wearing?

Okay, she nodded her head.

Come with me.

They left the office. At the end of the corridor, the major opened the door and gestured for Nastya to enter.

Make yourself at home. If you want to relax, here is the sofa - please don't be shy. Lunch is here,” said the major, pointing to the vessels on the table. - If you need anything or you finish the work, call me on the phone, and most importantly - try to remember everything in as much detail as possible. "Uncle Petya" interests me very much.

The State Security Major returned to his office and opened the suitcase the girl had brought him. There was a map of Leningrad. He laid it out on the table and began to study the colored notes. He drew attention to three crosses. These were defense facilities on the Petrograd side. At the bottom was an inscription: "First even days of the week. Second echelon. Green chains from the north side."

In addition to the map, the suitcase contained long aluminum cartridges, similar in shape to hunting ones. The cartridges had bright green stripes. The major picked up the phone and dialed a number.

A few minutes later, a young man in civilian clothes entered the office.

Comrade Major of State Security, on your orders...

Tarantula

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Name: Tarantula
Author: German Matveev
Year: 1987
Genre: Children's Adventures, Historical Adventures, War Books, 20th Century Literature, Novels

About the book German Matveev "Tarantula"

The suffocating ring of the blockade is squeezing Leningrad, but neither hunger, nor bombing, nor artillery shelling can force its defenders to retreat from the last lines. In vain, the Nazis count on spies and terrorists - employees of the Soviet counterintelligence stand in their way, and any of the Leningraders is ready to do everything to cleanse their city of filth.

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German Ivanovich Matveev

Tarantula

All rights reserved. No part of the electronic version of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means, including posting on the Internet and corporate networks, for private and public use, without the written permission of the copyright owner.

About the Tarantula trilogy

More than half a century has passed since the writing of the novels by G. I. Matveev "Green Chains" (1945), "Secret Fight" (1948) and "Tarantula" (1957), telling about the Leningrad boys who participated in the work of counterintelligence during the Great Patriotic War. The life of our country has changed a lot since then, but from the books of that time we can better know our history. The opportunity to see Leningrad besieged by the Nazis through the eyes of a man who survived the blockade, to experience pride in the unprecedented feat of Leningraders who defended their city - this is the main value of this trilogy.

The action of the first story "Green Chains" takes place in the autumn of 1941. Around Leningrad, the blockade ring is shrinking. Fascist invaders are trying to break through the defenses and take the city. During artillery raids, green rockets suddenly soar into the Leningrad sky, with which enemy accomplices indicate targets for bombing - important objects of the city.

The main character, Misha Alekseev, found himself without parents in these difficult conditions - his father was at the front, his mother died during the shelling, and even with his little sister in his arms. Before him there is a severe need to somehow get money for food and clothing. Out of desperation, he decides to steal and ends up in the police. The State Security Major instructs Misha to assemble a group of reliable guys to find a man who is launching rockets. A team of five trusted friends manages to detain one of the rocket men. His capture allows you to get on the trail of a gang of saboteurs. Gradually, one by one, the Chekists arrest all members of the “one-armed circle”, seize a radio transmitter, weapons, ciphers, suitcases with rockets and delayed-action mines.

The action of the second story "Secret Fight" takes place a year later - in the autumn of 1942. Besieged Leningrad is bombed and systematically shelled all the time. The enemy continues to prepare to storm the city. But in addition to the external threat, there is also an internal one: a secret network of fascist spies and pests operates in the city.

Misha Alekseev became a cabin boy on a large merchant ship, anchored in the center of the city since the beginning of the war. And here is the new task of Major of State Security Ivan Vasilyevich. In an abandoned house, they accidentally find a passport and a notebook with instructions for preparing for the storming of Leningrad, written in sympathetic ink that appears in the light. Misha and his friends are instructed to track who will apply for the finds.

This man leads the Chekists to a gang of thieves who, in addition to stealing bread and food cards, help the Nazis organize sabotage. Misha Alekseev is introduced into this gang under the guise of a pickpocket. Everything goes according to plan, but Misha makes a mistake that is unacceptable for a counterintelligence officer, which almost leads to the disruption of the entire operation and the death of a teenager.

In the third book, which you now hold in your hands, Misha is waiting for a new dangerous task from Ivan Vasilyevich, connected with the exposure of the enemy's work of the same insidious and cruel Tarantula, who managed to escape at the end of the second story.

TARANTULA

1. "FISHER"

In the cold air, water dust was carried and penetrated through the overcoat, flannel* and vest to the very body. The dampness made the clothes sticky. Darkness - gouge out your eyes! Small waves splashed languidly below.

On the boat in front, red coals of cigarettes loomed and laughter was heard. Someone from the team went out to get some air.

But here again, in the direction of Peterhof, the guns clattered dully, and shells rustled overhead. Red lightning flared up in the city, and a minute later came the crackle of explosions. Immediately, in response, the batteries of Leningrad gasped muffledly and crushed these sounds.

The enemy fired all night today. With long breaks, limiting themselves to two or three volleys, they persistently sent shells to different parts of the city. No matter how salty they were, they did not want to be silent. Leningrad celebrated the twenty-sixth anniversary of the October Revolution*.

“What a dirty nature the Nazis have! Like a holiday, they will definitely disgrace, ”Pakhomov, who was on duty, thought, listening to the artillery duel.

He remembered how the Nazis celebrated their anniversary last year. Aviation hooted over the city all night. In all districts, bright lanterns-rockets were hung on parachutes and bombs were dropped with impunity. Then he was not on watch, but almost all night he stood on the deck of the boat. It seemed that after such a bombing, only ruins would remain from Leningrad ...

The firing stopped and silence fell again.

“They probably think that as soon as the shell explodes, the whole area will rush into the bomb shelter.” He knew that now parties were ending in many apartments, and he even had two invitations from the girls he knew. I knew that the first toast was raised to victory. It is not close yet, but it already shines brightly in the Moscow fireworks*.

"And now they get it ... This is not last year."

A minute passed, then another, and suddenly the creaking of oarlocks was heard. Pakhomov became alert, turned his head and stared into the darkness.

The boats stood almost at the very mouth of the river, where it flowed into the bay, and if he heard the creak of oarlocks, then it means that the boat was somewhere nearby, in the middle of the Nevka.

On the other side, in a single house, lived a team of military fishermen. They stopped fishing a long time ago, and it is unlikely that in such weather, in the dark, they could go somewhere by boat. There was no other boat nearby.

"It seemed to me, or what?"

Straining his ears, he stood motionless for a long time, but no more sounds could be heard.

“So, it seemed,” Pakhomov had already decided firmly.

Artillery fire began again, but this time in the direction of the Moscow region.

A change has come.

"He's damp," Pakhomov said, handing over the watch.

GREEN CHAINS

1 Murder Mystery

The front was approaching Leningrad.

In the other direction, towards the Germans, military units and detachments of the people's militia were moving.

By evening, along the forest paths, they passed Siverskaya and stopped to rest.

Come with me, - said the one-armed friend, noticing his angry look.

Without looking back or repeating the invitation, he went deeper into the forest.

Where is Uncle Petya? one of them asked.

He will overtake us.

Take your time… I am now.

The girls did not attach any importance to these words and continued to quickly walk on. Suddenly there was a desperate cry. The girls heard some fuss in the dark and a hoarse male voice:

Nastya! .. Help! .. Come here! .. Nastya was the name of one of the students. She was older and more determined than her friends.

This is ours! - she said. - What's happened? Come on, girls.

All three quickly ran in the opposite direction.

Gloomy was still alive, but he could no longer speak. He was choking on his own blood. Nastya managed to make out only one word: “suitcase”. The knife entered his chest up to the hilt, and before the girl could find it, it was all over. Their gloomy companion died.

Suitcase! He said: “a suitcase,” Nastya said in thought. - Girls, look for a suitcase.

I stumbled on a stone, - Nastya said loudly and picked up the suitcase.

In complete darkness, on the asphalt heated during the day, three friends walked silently, all the while accelerating their steps. One said:

Maybe Uncle Petya was also killed?

Anything is possible, - Nastya responded.

He also had the same suitcase.

Shut up you...

Something I'm afraid, girls ...

The suitcase was heavy, as if iron lay there, He pulled his hand away, and yet Nastya patiently carried it to the city.

... All this she, very worried, now told the major of state security, sitting in front of him in a leather chair.

So you never saw Uncle Petya again? the major asked.

No. I'm afraid he was killed too. The Major did not seem to have heard this phrase.

Did the victim also call him Uncle Petya?

I don't remember... No! He doesn't seem to have named him. In general, the victim was a strange person. He was silent all the time. At first we thought he was dumb.

What did he look like?

Who? Killed?

I already know what the dead man looked like. I'm interested in one-handed.

He was short… shaven… no longer young…

How old was he, in your opinion?

Forty years, I think...well, forty-five. His hair was cut short... Oh, yes!... There are two gold teeth in his mouth... That, it seems, is all.

How did he manage his hand?

Very good. It's just that we even wondered how deftly he does everything with one hand.

What was he wearing?

The suit... is blue and doesn't seem to be new. Can you figure it out there? Everything is dusty...

Did you notice his watch?

Yes they were. He often looked at them.

The major opened his desk, took out a men's pocket watch, black with a gold rim, and, slightly rising in his chair, placed it in front of the girl.

Such? the major asked with a smile.

This is what they are. Exactly the same ... This is them.

Didn't the dead man have a watch?

I don't think so... But I don't remember.

On the way, in conversations among themselves, they did not name any addresses?

Uncle Petya once said that he had relatives in Leningrad, but he did not say who they were and where they lived.

So. I will ask you to write everything that you have told me now on paper. Try to remember all sorts of details, trifles ... What your companions ate ... Remember the color of the eyes, hair of a disabled person ... In a word, absolutely everything that you remember.

Okay, she nodded her head.

Come with me.

They left the office. At the end of the corridor, the major opened the door and gestured for Nastya to enter.

The State Security Major returned to his office and opened the suitcase the girl had brought him. There was a map of Leningrad. He laid it out on the table and began to study the colored notes. He drew attention to three crosses. These were defense facilities on the Petrograd side. At the bottom was an inscription: “First even numbers of the week. Second echelon. Green chains from the north side.

In addition to the map, the suitcase contained long aluminum cartridges, similar in shape to hunting ones. The cartridges had bright green stripes. The major picked up the phone and dialed a number.

A few minutes later, a young man in civilian clothes entered the office.

Comrade Major of State Security, on your orders...

Yes Yes. That's the point, Comrade Burakov. Take this cartridge, go out of town, unload a German rocket launcher somewhere into the air and see what kind of pyrotechnics it is. Probably green chains.

2. Misha Alekseev

The mother did not return home. On the fourth day, Misha Alekseev went to the factory to find out what had happened to her. There he was told that the bomb hit the shop where she worked, and she was taken to the hospital in a serious condition. The hospital reported that Alekseeva Maria died the same day without regaining consciousness.

GREEN CHAINS

1 Murder Mystery

The front was approaching Leningrad.

In the other direction, towards the Germans, military units and detachments of the people's militia were moving.

By evening, along the forest paths, they passed Siverskaya and stopped to rest.

Come with me, - said the one-armed friend, noticing his angry look.

Without looking back or repeating the invitation, he went deeper into the forest.

Where is Uncle Petya? one of them asked.

He will overtake us.

Take your time… I am now.

The girls did not attach any importance to these words and continued to quickly walk on. Suddenly there was a desperate cry. The girls heard some fuss in the dark and a hoarse male voice:

Nastya! .. Help! .. Come here! .. Nastya was the name of one of the students. She was older and more determined than her friends.

This is ours! - she said. - What's happened? Come on, girls.

All three quickly ran in the opposite direction.

Suitcase! He said: “a suitcase,” Nastya said in thought. - Girls, look for a suitcase.

I stumbled on a stone, - Nastya said loudly and picked up the suitcase.

In complete darkness, on the asphalt heated during the day, three friends walked silently, all the while accelerating their steps. One said:

Maybe Uncle Petya was also killed?

Anything is possible, - Nastya responded.

He also had the same suitcase.

Shut up you...

Something I'm afraid, girls ...

The suitcase was heavy, as if iron lay there, He pulled his hand away, and yet Nastya patiently carried it to the city.

... All this she, very worried, now told the major of state security, sitting in front of him in a leather chair.

So you never saw Uncle Petya again? the major asked.

No. I'm afraid he was killed too. The Major did not seem to have heard this phrase.

Did the victim also call him Uncle Petya?

I don't remember... No! He doesn't seem to have named him. In general, the victim was a strange person. He was silent all the time. At first we thought he was dumb.

What did he look like?

Who? Killed?

I already know what the dead man looked like. I'm interested in one-handed.

He was short… shaven… no longer young…

How old was he, in your opinion?

Forty years, I think...well, forty-five. His hair was cut short... Oh, yes!... There are two gold teeth in his mouth... That, it seems, is all.

How did he manage his hand?

Very good. It's just that we even wondered how deftly he does everything with one hand.

What was he wearing?

The suit... is blue and doesn't seem to be new. Can you figure it out there? Everything is dusty...

Did you notice his watch?

Yes they were. He often looked at them.