into his
eyes, to be swept back every now and again with a thrust of the hand
accompanied by a muttered exclamation, presumably a curse. Rendering
M. Thomas into English, M. Mantoux would sweep back an imaginary wisp
of hair with an imprecation which I am confident was a "damn!" Then
again, no man can turn on a more irresistibly ingratiating smile when
he is getting the better of the other fellow than Mr. Lloyd George,
and he has mastered a dodge of at such moments sinking his voice to a
wheedling pitch calculated to coax the most suspicious and
recalcitrant of listeners into reluctant concurrence. M. Mantoux would
reproduce that smile to admiration, and his tones when translating Mr.
Lloyd George's seductive blandishments into French were enough to
cajole a crocodile.

CHAPTER XIII

A FIRST MISSION TO RUSSIA

Reasons for Mission -- An effectual staff officer -- Our
distinguished representatives in Scandinavia -- The journey --
Stockholm -- Lapps -- Crossing the frontier at Haparanda --
Arrival at Petrograd -- Sir G. Buchanan -- Interviews with
General Polivanoff, Admiral Grigorovitch and M. Sazonoff --
Imperial vehicles -- Petrograd -- We proceed to the Stavka --
Improper use of the title "Tsar" -- The Imperial headquarters --
Meeting with the Emperor -- Two disconcerting incidents --
Nicholas II. -- His charm -- His admiration for Lord Kitchener's
work -- Conference with General Alexeieff -- Mohileff -- Service
in the church in honour of the Grand Duchess Tatiana's birthday
-- Return to Petrograd -- A rencontre with an archbishop -- The
nuisance of swords -- Return home.

In spite of the _debacle_ which had taken place in the early summer of
1915, the information coming to hand from Russia in the War Office
later in the year was not wholly discouraging. It became apparent that
a strenuous effort was being made to repair the mischief. Marked
energy was being displayed locally in developing the output of
munitions and war material of all kinds. This, coupled with the
unequivocal confidence that was manifestly being displayed in Lord
Kitchener by the Emperor, the Grand Duke Nicholas, and the leading
statesmen of our great eastern Ally whether they belonged to the
Government or not, gave promise that the vast empire, with its
swarming population and its boundless internal resources, might yet in
the course of time prove a tremendous asset on th