Avdief was under the immediate control of the other commissaries, members of the _Presidium_ and _Tchrezvytchaïka_. They were not long in realising the change which had come about in the feelings of the guards towards their prisoners, and resolved to adopt drastic measures. At Moscow, too, there was uneasiness, as was proved by the following telegram sent from Ekaterinburg by Bieloborodof to Sverdlof and Golochtchokine (who was then at Moscow): “Syromolotof just left for Moscow to organise according to instructions from centre. Anxiety unnecessary. Useless to worry. Avdief revoked. Mochkine arrested. Avdief replaced by Yourovsky. Inside guard changed, replaced by others.” This telegram is dated July 4th. On this day Avdief and his adjutant Mochkine were arrested and replaced by Commissary Yourovsky, a Jew, and his subordinate Nikouline. The guard formed--as has already been mentioned--exclusively of Russian workmen, was transferred to a neighbouring house, that of Popof. Yourovsky brought with him ten men--nearly all Austro-German prisoners of war--“selected” from among the executioners of the _Tchrezvytchaïka_. Henceforward these formed the inside guard, the outside sentries being still furnished by the Russian guard. The “house destined for a special purpose” had become a branch of the _Tchrezvytchaïka_, and the lives of the prisoners became one long martyrdom. * * * * * At this time the death of the Imperial family had already been decided upon in Moscow. The telegram quoted above proves this. Syromolotof left for Moscow “to organise according to instructions from centre”; he was to return with Golochtchokine, bringing instructions and directions from Sverdlof. Meanwhile Yourovsky made his arrangements. On several days in succession he went out on horseback. He was seen wandering about the neighbourhood looking for a place suitable for his plans, in which he could dispose of the bodies of his victims. And this same man, with inconceivable cynicism, on his return visited the bedside of the Czarevitch! Several days pass; Golochtchokine and Syromolotof have come back. All is ready. [Illustration: MINE-SHAFT WHERE THE ASHES WERE THROWN.] [Illustration: THE SEARCH IN THE MINE-SHAFT. {_Facing page 286._] On Sunday, July 14th, Yourovsky summons a priest, Father Storojef, and authorises a religious service. The prisoners are already condemned to death and must not be refused the succour of religion. The next day he gives orders for the removal of little Leonide Sednief to Popof’s house, where the Russian guard are quartered.