koff hit
straight from the shoulder, and called a spade a spade. One of his
phrases was, "Russia can never win so long as this convicted criminal and
seducer of women is allowed to work his amazing power upon the rulers of
the Empire. Remove him!" he went on. "Let him be placed safely within the
walls of Peter and Paul, together with his 'sisters,' and with all his
brother-traitors, and then there will be no more suggestion of a separate
peace. Remove his evil influence!" shouted the fine orator, his voice
ringing through the Chamber. "I say, remove him from the Imperial circle,
or Russia is doomed!"

I left the Duma by that long stone staircase with a feeling that at last
the power behind the Throne, nay, the very Throne itself, was broken.

I sped to Rasputin's house, and with pretended regret related all that
had occurred.

Hearing it, he sprang to the telephone, declaring in a hoarse voice: "The
Censor must prohibit every word of it from publication. I will demand
this of Nicholas!"

And a few moments later he was speaking with the Emperor, urging that an
order to the Censor be immediately issued--a suggestion that was at once
carried out.

Meanwhile a dramatic scene was being enacted in the Empress's boudoir,
for that day proved the beginning of the end of the holy Father's career,
as well as that of Alexandra Feodorovna, Empress of Russia.

CHAPTER XV

THE TRAITOR DENOUNCED

THE Empress, on hearing what had happened in the Duma, had a fit of
hysterics. Nicholas was present while the Court physician administered
restoratives. Then, without a word, he turned, and, leaving his wife in
the care of the traitress Anna Vyrubova, he left for General
Headquarters.

When Rasputin was informed by telephone of the Emperor's departure he
became furious.

"He fears to meet Stuermer!" he cried to me. "He is leaving him in the
lurch."

And this he did, for the next day the fate of Russia trembled in the
balance, while the Black Monk went about to the Ministers in frantic
haste, hoping and plotting to turn public opinion again in his favour.
The charlatan, who could work miracles, and was the Heaven-sent saviour
of Russia, had been exposed as a mere impostor. Stuermer's position had
also become desperate under the concerted attacks of the Duma. A meeting
of the Cabinet was held, at which the monk was present. Stuermer, with
Protopopoff's support, proposed to dissolve the Duma. Some members
opposed the sugge