self in a very
perilous position. In three days' time the Duma would re-open, and
Miliukoff would probably bring forth certain documentary evidence of the
treachery of Stuermer, Fredericks, Soukhomlinoff, Anna Vyrubova, and a
dozen others who formed the camarilla which was working for Russia's
downfall.

"The Duma must be prevented from opening," Rasputin declared at last.
"The Emperor must rescind the order and further postpone it."

"The Duma has been prohibited from meeting for over five months. It can,
I agree, wait still further. His Majesty must find some excuse, or----"

"I know what is passing in your mind, friend," interrupted the monk.
"Yes, I will urge Nicholas further to prohibit it, and thus give us time
to suppress our enemies."

"Action must be taken at once," said the Minister. "I had a telephone
message from the secret police in Moscow to say that Miliukoff left for
Petrograd at nine o'clock this morning. The Grand Dukes have gone south."

Two hours later, on our return to the Gorokhovaya, an Imperial courier
arrived in hot haste from Tsarskoe-Selo with a sealed note for the monk,
enclosed in two envelopes.

These I tore open, and, signing the outer envelope as assurance of safe
receipt, handed it to the courier, who left. Afterwards I read the
message to Rasputin, it being as follows:

"HOLY FATHER,--Anna has just told me of Miliukoff's intention in
the Duma. The Emperor must further adjourn its re-assembling. I
have telegraphed to him urging him to do this. If not, let us
adopt Noyo's suggestion to pay the agents J. and B. ten thousand
roubles to remove him. I would willingly pay a hundred thousand
roubles to close his mouth for ever. This must be done. Suggest
it to P. [Protopopoff]. Surely the same means could be used as
with T. and L. and the end be quite natural and peaceful! You
could supply the means as before. But I urge on you not to delay
a moment. All depends upon Miliukoff's removal. If he reveals to
the Duma what he knows, then everything must be lost. I kiss your
dear hands. With Olga I ask your blessing.--Your dutiful
daughter,
"A."

It was thus evident that the Empress knew of what Rasputin gleefully
called "The Perfume of Death." Ah! in how many cases, I wonder, was it
used by the mock "saint" to stifle the truth and to sweep his enemies of
both sex