ation which I believed to be
sacred. He even got hold of our diplomatic telegraph code a week after it
had been changed. No, the English Mac is the most astute secret agent in
Europe, depend upon it!"

Paula Kereicha sat listening to the conversation, but without making any
remark. I noticed that Azef seemed very uneasy at her presence, and
presently sent her from the room to ask for a telephone call. The instant
she had gone he exclaimed in a low voice:

"It is a pity to have spoken before Paula! She knows too much. One day,
when it suits her, she may reveal something unpleasant concerning us."

"But you made the appointment here, at her house!" Kiderlen-Waechter
protested.

"Of course, because it is the safest meeting-place, but I did not know
that matters were to be freely discussed before her."

"Then you do not trust the woman?" remarked Rasputin. "You are like
myself, I never trust women," and he grinned. "Shall we drop our
conversation when she returns?"

Azef reflected for a few moments.

"No," he said. "She knows most of the details of the affair. There is no
reason why she should not know the rest. Besides, I may require her to
assist me."

In the discussion which ensued I gathered that Rasputin and Azef had
resolved, with the connivance and at the instigation of the German
Foreign Office, to assassinate a certain well-known British member of
Parliament who had been in Russia and had learned, through the British
secret agent Mac, the betrayal of Russia into the hands of the
Wilhelmstrasse. It was believed that this Englishman--whom Rasputin had
nicknamed "Krivochein," so that in correspondence his identity should not
be revealed--would place certain facts before the British Government to
the detriment of the plans of the pro-German party in Russia.

Of the actual identity of the unfortunate member of Parliament whom Azef
and Rasputin had marked down as their victim I could not learn. No doubt
Paula knew who "Krivochein" was. And it was certain also that both von
Wedel and the German Foreign Secretary were privy to the plot.

Apparently the Empress had been informed of the danger, and knew of the
steps the conspirators were taking. Indeed, Rasputin declared:

"Alexandra Feodorovna is very anxious as to the future. She has had a
violent quarrel with Nicholas regarding his refusal to dismiss
Sheglovitof."

"He must be dismissed," declared von Wedel. "The Emperor William insists
upon it. Each hour h