Ten minutes later I found Rasputin walking alone on the terrace, impatient and thoughtful, and opened the envelope. Within was a message in Their Majesties' private cipher, which had been deciphered by the Empress's own hand, and which read: "Tell our dear Father [Rasputin] that to postpone the Duma would, I fear, create an unfavourable impression, and I judge impossible. Protopopoff has asked my authority to arrest Miliukoff upon some technical charge, but I do not consider such a course good policy. I agree that to-day's situation is grave, and agree also that at the last moment some means should be taken to prevent him from speaking. "NIKKI." The monk at once flew to the Empress's side, where Stuermer was being received in audience. Again the situation was eagerly discussed. That night, when we returned to Petrograd, although it was nearly midnight, Protopopoff was summoned by telephone, and when the pair met I learnt what had been arranged at the Palace. The Empress's wishes were to be carried out. The patriot Miliukoff was to be "removed." CHAPTER XIV MILIUKOFF'S EXPOSURE MATTERS were now growing daily more desperate in Russia. Suspense, unrest, and suspicion were rife everywhere, while the deluded people were kept quiet by promises of a great offensive in the near future. The Minister Protopopoff, wearing his gorgeous uniform, his breast covered with decorations--the man whom Great Britain regarded as so extremely friendly--had just paid a visit to the British Embassy, and on his way home called upon Rasputin. "It is just as we heard from Moscow," he said to the monk anxiously. "Miliukoff intends to denounce you at the opening of the Duma. He has been in communication with both the French and British Embassies, and as far as I can learn both are in entire agreement with him." "Then I must save myself," Rasputin declared, stroking his matted beard thoughtfully. "The British never dream that I have been assisting you in your schemes with Alexandra Feodorovna. That is why they are so friendly with me at the Embassy. Indeed, only yesterday the French Ambassador handed me the latest report upon the output of munitions in France, and the details of their long-range gun. These I copied, and Hardt has left with them for Berlin." "Truly, we have fooled the Allies exquisitely," laughed the Black Monk. "But if I am denounced, you also will be discovered as my associate, as well as Stuermer, Fredericks, and our other friends." "That is why the Empress urges you to resort to the 'perfume,'" said the much-decorated traitor. "Yes, but how?" asked Rasputin. "There is no time." "There is sufficient." "What do you suggest?" asked the monk. "You know little Xenie, who married the Councillor of State, Kalatcheff, last year? She is one of your 'sisters,' is she not?" The "saint" nodded.