know of any
reason why you should not be shot for participating in the abduction
of the Imperial family?'... This was a puzzler.... I was innocent
enough of such an accusation, BUT the officer before me looked about
as much like a Royalist as I in my present disheveled condition looked
like a member of the French Cabinet.... If I denied my guilt I felt
certain of a bullet in my heart from such an ugly, unkempt mob....
Glancing at my apparel I looked fit to be one of their number, so I
said courageously: 'I am PROUD to say that I am the _ringleader_ who
engineered the whole business!..."

If it gives you any satisfaction to see me die, don't waste your
breath asking me any further questions,--go ahead and fire!'... 'Very
well,' he snapped and made me about-face to the firing squad ... For a
few seconds he held a silent conversation with the Sergeant.... That
functionary approached with a handkerchief. 'Will you be blindfolded?'
he asked. 'Thank you, I prefer to see what's going on,' I answered....
The other prisoners followed my example.... We were ordered to step
back against the wall.... The squad raised their rifles at the command
of 'aim.'... I _now_ know that I felt positively nauseated at the
moment, but I actually SMILED.... 'Fire!'... There was a rattle of
musketry and every prisoner beside me fell forward dead.... I STOOD
THERE ALONE, uninjured and alive ... coming toward me down the path
was the daring female acrobatic aviator with her friend, the performer
of the Metropole, robed in a shimmering sport outing costume, and
smiling very sweetly to the Officer of the Guard....

"... I am certain now that this veiled lady from Buckingham is in
league with this gang of Bolsheviki,--and I am also certain that I owe
my life to the boast I made of being a murderer myself!..."

19. The following entry reads:

"A man who has escaped death is not to be trusted on a point of
discretion,--he doesn't know how to select his friends. He is like a
spirit emerging from nowhere in the eternal void and grabs at the
first apparition that promises companionship in his embarrassing and
momentary isolation.... Well, I was so glad to see that Buckingham
Clorinda that I was willing to take her into my confidence at once....
She _seemed_ so sympathetic!... 'I commend your bravery,' she said
prettily, offering me her hand.... It was small and beautifully
moulded, yet firm and steady, and sent an electric thrill through me
like a fla