This they did, and in consequence a great sensation was caused in society, both in Petrograd and in Moscow. In the Duma, Rasputin was openly denounced by M. Goutchkoff, a man of large experience and who had worked in the Manchuria campaign and done much to assist the Grand Duke Nicholas and General Alexeieff in the munition crisis of 1915. He was Director of the Committee of War Industries, and had, introduced into this committee some highly capable Labour delegates, who were now no longer blinded by the halo of sanctity which Rasputin had assumed for himself. Thus a storm suddenly burst over the head of the holy rascal who had practised his abominations under his pseudo-religious cloak, and who was at the same time secretly plotting for the triumph of Germany. But so cleverly did he juggle with the future of the Russian Empire that he went post-haste across Europe, down to Yalta in the Crimea, and on arrival drove through the pine woods to the Imperial Palace. He arrived there at six o'clock in the morning, after a long and fatiguing journey. But such was his iron nerve and strong constitution that he was as fresh as when he bade farewell to his clinging devotees in Petrograd who had so fervently kissed his dirty hands. He had the audacity to go straight to the Tsar's dressing-room, and there met His Majesty as he was coming from his bath. Naturally Nicholas II was surprised, and on inquiring the reason of his unexpected visit, the "Saint" exclaimed: "They have driven me, the man of the Lord, from Petrograd! I go back to Siberia to dwell there in peace. But God will now assuredly weak vengeance upon Russia, and all that she holds most dear--as well as upon thy son and heir." "But, Holy Father!" gasped the Emperor, "what has happened? Tell me." As the Tsar sat in his red bath-wrap, the unwashed "Saint" made explanation that both the Church and the Duma had declared him to be an impostor, adding: "I will not trouble myself over those who defame me. They are as dust. God has sent me to Russia, and the Russians have despised me." "But who are your enemies?" asked His Majesty anxiously. That was the question which Rasputin intended that the Emperor should ask. At once he explained that the Archbishop Teofan and Bishop Hermogene had both turned against him, and in consequence the Tsar called his servant to bring him a telegraph-form at once. "Whither shall I send those persons?" asked His Majesty. "Nowhere. Let them work their evil will against thy Empire. God will himself punish them!" replied the fakir and ex-thief who had self-assumed the title of "Father." "I shall leave to-night for Siberia, and shall not return." "No. Forgive them, Holy Father," urged the Emperor apprehensively. "For my sake and for Russia's sake forgive them. I will send Teofan, your false friend, to the Taurida, and Hermogene shall retire to the monastery of Tobolsk. Helidor, too, is no friend of yours. He shall be sent to prison."