United States or Zambia ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
Opening it, he showed her the tiny tube reposing in pink cotton wool. "It is a little present for somebody, eh?" he asked with a sinister laugh. "Perhaps," replied the girl as she took it and placed it carefully in the black silk vanity-bag she was carrying. "You have already received instructions through another channel?" inquired Rasputin. "I have, O Father," was her reply.
"Of course, Father; but the concession was granted while this order makes it appear that it was only applied for." "Surely it is not wise that thou shouldst be known to have granted favour unto a traitor?" was the monk's clever reply. Still Nicholas hesitated, at which Rasputin grew furious, declaring that he had no time to waste in idle discussion.
Rouchine had been a conjurer before he adopted a "holy" life, and by reason of his knowledge of magic and illusions he frequently assisted the Starets in performing those "miracles" that so astounded the mujiks who witnessed them with open mouths. Whenever things grew a little dull, or Rasputin believed that his divinity was being doubted, he would calmly announce: "I have had a vision.
The inhabitants have been seized by a mysterious and terribly fatal disease. A medical commission left Petrograd yesterday to study it." "Let them study it!" laughed Rasputin. "They will discover no mode of treatment." "Both towns are rapidly becoming decimated. There have been over thirty thousand deaths, and the mortality is daily increasing." "As I expected," remarked the monk.
At each were two sentries, one a big Abyssinian negro in blue and gold called an "Araby" in the palace and the other a stolid Cossack sentry with his fixed bayonet. At the end of the corridor we were met by one of the Emperor's personal servants who came forward in all humility, and bowing before Rasputin, asked. "Can I be of service, Father, before you have audience?" Both of us were surprised.
About six o'clock a lady was announced, and when she was shown up to our sitting-room I found to my surprise that it was Paula Kereicha. Rasputin was out with Azef, so Paula declared that she would wait till their return. "I am staying at the Hôtel Chatham, and have to go to London to-morrow," she told me. "Krivochein has left the Chatham with his wife, and I am to follow."
When I returned and reported my meeting with the young man, Rasputin seemed much gratified, and even telephoned to Stürmer, who was at that moment at the palace, having been called to the War Council which the Emperor who had again consulted his dead father's spirit at a further séance on the previous night was now holding.
The premier, Trepov, who though a mere figurehead, was still loyal to Russia and secretly an enemy of Rasputin and Protopopoff, allowed all the details of the assassination to be published in the papers, even to the names of those concerned in the actual killing. These latter were of too high a rank to be punished, besides which popular sentiment stood solidly behind them.
"Excellent, my dear sister. You will indeed be rewarded," declared Rasputin, crossing himself. "When you return to Petrograd, give me back that precious little bottle of perfume, which I call the Perfume of Death."
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.
Word Of The Day