e went straight to the Empress and told her of his failure to move
Nicholas from his decision.

"But surely this man Miliukoff must be prevented from speaking!" cried
the unhappy woman, who saw all her deep-laid schemes crumbling rapidly
away, and herself branded as a traitress. "Father, you must work yet
another miracle. He must be seized by a sudden illness--an accident must
happen to him, or--or something!"

Rasputin shook his head dubiously, declaring that there was no time to
arrange a second attempt.

"Have you put it to Protopopoff?" she asked. "He might suggest some
means, now that the woman Kalatcheff has failed us. If not--he will
speak--and we are lost! Think, Father, what it all means! There is
already public unrest created by the rumours that we have unfortunately
spread of pending disaster, and if they are followed by such charges
supported by documents, then revolution is inevitable!"

I saw that the Tsaritza, now that every means to secure Miliukoff's
silence had failed, was terrified lest she be exhibited in her own true
traitorous colours.

Back we went to Petrograd, where we called at Protopopoff's house, and
where still another attempt against Miliukoff's life was plotted.

By telephone an ex-agent of Secret Police named Stefanovitch, who had
done much work as an _agent-provocateur_ for the camarilla, was called,
and a price was at once arranged for the murder of the Deputy.

He was to be shot at and killed outside the Tauris Palace, just before
two o'clock, as he was entering the Duma. He would probably be walking
round to the Chamber from his house with his bosom friend M.
Purishkevitch.

"You will surely know somebody to whom the affair can be entrusted,
Ivan," said the Minister of the Interior. "If arrested, he will be
allowed ample opportunity to escape. Naturally he would not come up for
trial. I would see to that. So you can give him my personal assurance."

"I should suggest a woman," said the man Stefanovitch. "I know one who
would not hesitate to act as we wish. Her name is Marie Grozdoff, a
Polish Jewess. I can trust her. She has done something similar for us
before."

"And the price?"

"The price will be all right," replied the provocating agent, with a
business-like air.

"Then we entrust the affair to you, Ivan," said His Excellency. "You will
receive for yourself ten thousand roubles if Miliukoff dies."

And the man went forth to find the woman, who, for money, would no