I drew my body up until I lay pressed flat and close to the side of the dormer window. Just as I had done so, the window opened, and a head appeared defined distinctly against the sky. The eyes pierced the gloom in my direction, but only for an instant. I scarcely dared to breathe. “There’s nobody up here,” I heard him exclaim to his companions, then slowly the head disappeared. I remained undiscovered, and the officers proceeded to other rooms to prosecute their search for incriminating papers, of which they found none. At last I heard their heavy tramp below in the silent street. It grew gradually fainter, until it died away in the distance. Then I breathed a prayer of thanksgiving, and, grasping my bag, descended into the room. We all four uttered mutual congratulations upon having had such an excellent escape, and at once set about preparing to retire for the remainder of the night. Liustig, however, remained up in order to give the alarm, should we again be surprised. * * * * * “Pashol!” The engine of the Imperial train whistled loudly, the lines of blue-coated soldiers upon the platform saluted and cheered, and the long saloon cars glided slowly out of the great station on their way to Moscow. Five of the carriages were occupied by the royal party and suite—which included the Ministers of Finance and the Interior, as well as General Bieli of the Secret Police—while the sixth, which was next the engine, was the travelling kitchen. Among the servants in this latter were Liustig and myself. How I came to be enrolled in the Imperial service matters little. With our Organisation everything is possible. It is sufficient to say that two of the _chef’s_ assistants were taken ill—perhaps purposely for aught I know—and that, at the last moment, Soliviof supplied us to fill their places. In the car with us was an officer of the “Security Section,” disguised as a waiter; therefore my companion and myself were compelled to exercise the utmost caution. Hour after hour we travelled across that great flat tract of country between the Valdai Hills and the Volga. But our pace was slow, and such were the extraordinary precautions taken, that the whole distance between St. Petersburg and Moscow was lined by troops, who seemed to sustain a continuous cheer as we passed. Arriving at Moscow in the evening, we did not break the journey, but continued over the Tambov line through Central Russia.