Afterwards, before she left us, she told us that she knew that the Deputy
had a young man-servant named Protzenko, and it would be her object to
first attract his attention and become on intimate terms with him, by
which means she would be enabled to visit the servants' quarters of
Purishkevitch's house.

"Excellent--if you do not think that you could obtain a place there as
servant."

"That would be difficult, for I happen to know that all the servants have
been there for years, and that there is no vacancy."

"Well, Olga, act just as you like," the monk said. "Only remove him, and
then telephone instantly to me, so that the police can search
immediately."

Of the girl Bauer we heard nothing for a fortnight. Time after time I
felt impelled to warn the doomed man, but I feared lest Rasputin should
suspect me of treachery, the other plots having failed. One night, while
at the palace, I was informed by a flunkey that someone wished to speak
with the monk on the public telephone, therefore I went to the
instrument.

The voice I heard was that of Olga Bauer, who, when she recognised me,
said:

"Tell the Father that his wishes were carried out half an hour ago. You
know what I mean--eh?"

"Yes," I replied. "I know--I will tell him at once." And then I rang off.

Returning to Rasputin's handsome room I repeated the message, whereupon
he sprang up with eager delight, and ringing up Protopopoff at his house
in Petrograd, told him to order an immediate police search of
Purishkevitch's house, as had already been arranged.

After that I had some business with the Master of the Imperial Household
in the opposite wing of the palace, and it was not till half-an-hour
later that I re-entered the "saint's" room.

I found Rasputin foaming with rage and stamping up and down the room in
fury.

"I told the Empress and Anna the good news, now to find that it is
false!" he cried. "The police made a domiciliary visit only to be greeted
by Purishkevitch himself. Think of it!"

"Then the fellow is not dead!" I gasped in amazement.

"No. He is still alive. His valet Protzenko died an hour ago. That fool
of a girl has blundered!"

As he uttered these words the door opened and the Empress appeared,
looking pale and desperate.

"Father," she said, "this is a very serious contretemps for us all. How
do we not know that the girl Bauer purposely removed the valet in place
of his master? The visit of the police will arouse the su