Part 37 (2/2)
”Miliukoff intends to denounce you at the opening of the Duma. He has been in communication with both the French and British Emba.s.sies, 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 a.s.sisting you in your schemes with Alexandra Feodorovna. That is why they are so friendly with me at the Emba.s.sy. Indeed, only yesterday the French Amba.s.sador 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 a.s.sociate, as well as Sturmer, 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.
”Well, according to a secret report made to me, she has conceived a violent hatred of Miliukoff, who was once a friend of her husband, and who still admires her. Miliukoff visits her home sometimes, and one day quite recently while in her salon he denounced you. She has been going about declaring him to be your bitterest enemy. If so, could she not invite him to take tea with her--and then?”
”An excellent idea!” cried Rasputin. ”Xenie Kalatcheff warned me against Miliukoff some time ago, I recollect. I will see her and sound her upon the subject.” Then, turning to me, he asked me to inquire over the telephone if Madame Kalatcheff was at home.
Five minutes later I informed the monk that the lady was at home, and was ready to speak with him if he wished.
At once Rasputin went to the instrument, and, after greeting her gaily, asked if she could possibly come round to see him ”on a very urgent affair,” to which she at once acceded.
”I had better not see her, so I shall get off,” said His Excellency. ”Be careful how you treat her. Recollect, her mind may have been poisoned against you by Miliukoff. These members of the Duma are often very clever and cunning.”
”Leave the matter in my hands,” said the ”saint,” with a grin. ”I will soon ascertain her exact att.i.tude, and act accordingly. First, we must remove Miliukoff, and next Purishkevitch--who is equally our enemy.”
About twenty minutes later I ushered into the monk's presence a pretty, handsomely-dressed woman of about twenty-eight, who often attended our reunions, and who was one of the best-known society women in Petrograd.
I was about to turn and leave when Rasputin said:
”You can remain, Feodor. The matter upon which I have to speak with our sister here concerns you as well as myself.”
Then, when the wife of the Councillor of State was seated, Rasputin carefully approached the subject of Miliukoff.
”It has been whispered to me that he is my bitter enemy, and that he is about to speak against me in the Duma,” he said. ”I believe your husband and he are friendly. Do you happen to know if there is any truth in this rumour?”
”Yes, Father, I do,” was madame's instant reply. ”I warned you of him three weeks ago, but you did not heed. I also told Anna Vyrubova, but her reply was that you, being divine, would be perfectly able to take care of yourself.”
”So I am. But it is against G.o.d's holy law that human tongues should utter lies against me,” he said, cleverly impressing upon her the fact that if Miliukoff were suppressed it would be no crime, but an act of duty.
”To me, in my own house, he has declared his intention of denouncing you--and also our dear Anna and the Empress.”
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