Vietnam or Thailand ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
"Happily the truth has been suppressed, though a certain agent of Downing Street a man known by the nickname of 'Mac' very nearly ascertained the whole facts. Fortunately for us all he did not. But his suspicions are aroused, together with those of Krivochein." "Cannot this man Mac an Englishman, I suppose be suppressed?" asked Rasputin.
No doubt Paula knew who "Krivochein" was. And it was certain also that both von Wedel and the German Foreign Secretary were privy to the plot. Apparently the Empress had been informed of the danger, and knew of the steps the conspirators were taking. Indeed, Rasputin declared: "Alexandra Feodorovna is very anxious as to the future.
In consequence we took seats at one of the little tables on the terrasse and ordered "bocks." Presently, as we watched the stream of passers-by, Azef raised the newspaper he had been pretending to read, so concealing his face, and whispered: "Here he is! That is our friend Krivochein!"
It was believed that this Englishman whom Rasputin had nicknamed "Krivochein," so that in correspondence his identity should not be revealed would place certain facts before the British Government to the detriment of the plans of the pro-German party in Russia. Of the actual identity of the unfortunate member of Parliament whom Azef and Rasputin had marked down as their victim I could not learn.
Having listened attentively to the conversation between the two scoundrels, I at last came to the conclusion that they were conspiring against some mysterious person named Krivochein. After the pair had consumed a bottle of champagne, Azef rose and, shaking his friend's dirty paw, said: "I hope to have everything arranged when we meet. I would not yet mention the matter to the Empress."
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."
Indeed, with Rasputin's clever intriguing, Kokovtsov, Sazonov, Krivochein and Polivanof all paid for their sincerity by the loss of their offices and the displeasure of their Imperial master. Again, it was the monk who had contrived to dismiss Monsieur Trepof, for I actually wrote out the order, which Nicholas signed, dismissing him!
Word Of The Day