V.V. A Notebook with Doodles in the Margins

January–March 1902. United States of America—Russia. A young American engineer Andrew Timothy invents an ultra-fast electric motor for a submarine. The military commission doesn’t accept the invention because, in its view, it requires further refinement. However, an unknown person learns about the unique engine and begins blackmailing Timothy. The engineer is being chased—and he also desperately needs money. Fortunately, in San Francisco, where Timothy lives, a Russian artist Vasily Vereshchagin arrives. Timothy learns that Vereshchagin is a former naval officer and, therefore, must understand something about ships and submarines. He meets with Vereshchagin and tells him he’s willing to sell the invention to Russia. Vereshchagin advises him to turn to the Russian consulate in Washington. Timothy agrees. But on the way to Washington, right on the train, an unknown person kills the engineer and steals all his belongings. On the same train is Zagorsky with his faithful companion Ganzalyn, and apparently they’ll have to connect to this difficult investigation again—one full of dangerous adventures.