first half of 1914, I noticed that the
acquaintanceship between Rasputin and his well-paid chemist-friend,
Badmayev, became closer. Badmayev held the formula of the poisonous
concoction which at intervals Anna Vyrubova secretly introduced into the
food of the Tsarevitch, causing the poor lad those mysterious illnesses
which were puzzling the physicians of Europe.

That some fresh plot of a diabolical nature was in progress I felt
confident, but of its actual motive I could ascertain nothing. Yet it
turned out to be a conspiracy--no doubt inspired and suggested by
Potsdam--of a peculiarly devilish character.

It was on that fateful day that the "Germanisation" of Russia became
complete. Thanks to the traitorous assurances of Soukhomlinoff, Minister
of War, Russia, alas! found herself suddenly plunged into hostilities.
Petrograd, of course, went wild with excitement. Our loyal Russians, who
believed in official declarations and in their Tsar, were ready to fly at
the Teutons, little dreaming that already, before a single shot was
fired, Germany held all the honours of the game, and had the Russian bear
shackled hand and foot.

At four o'clock in the afternoon Rasputin called me, and handing me an
envelope which seemed to contain some small object--a lady's silver
powder-puff case I afterwards knew it to be--said:

"Feodor, I want you to go to the booking-office of the Finnish station at
the departure of the train for Helsingfors at five-thirty. There you will
meet a fair-haired young man who knows you by sight. He will say the word
'Anak,' and when he does, hand him this in secret. He will quite
understand."

This order I carried out. I had not been at the crowded station five
minutes when a young man, carrying a small handbag, elbowed his way
through the excited crowd and uttered in an undertone the word "Anak." I
greeted him, and surreptitiously handed him the little packet, for which
he thanked me and disappeared on to the platform.

My curiosity being aroused I waited until after the departure of the
train, when I watched the mysterious young man return from the platform,
hurry out of the station, and jump into a droshky and drive off.

When I returned and reported my meeting with the young man, Rasputin
seemed much gratified, and even telephoned to Stuermer, who was at that
moment at the palace, having been called to the War Council which the
Emperor--who had again consulted his dead father's spirit at a furt