The Washington herald., 1914-11-08

4 strain OF anxiety was beginning to tell
on even my iron nerves, when heard
the ,clang Of arms in the courtyard be-
low. I erept to the window and beheid
the magnificent array of the famous
Preobrazhensky Guards as they
marched in with fixed bayonets to oc-
cupy the palace.
Half an hour elapsed-suficient time
TO admit Of the sentries in the various
corridors and 'stzircases being changed
i--and then caught the sound of ap-
preaching feet. followed by the sud-
den opening Of the door of the, apart
ment.
The tall. stern figure of the Grand
Duke Nicholas Nicolaievitch appeared
on the threshold. and behind him came
the principal members of the House Of
Romanoff, to the number of ten or
twelve, while in the background l could
see the white face of the officer who
had received the order to arrest his
sovereign, with half dozen of his men.
"Where is the Emperor?" burst from
the lips of the astonished Grand Duke
Nicholas as rose respectfully to re-
ceiye him.
"His imperial majesty has deputed
me to receive your imperial highhess,"
l said.
The grand duke laid his hand upon
his sword
"My business is with the Emperor
himself Tell me where he is, ihnmedi-
ately, or it will be the worse for you."
Il am here by the Emperors COM
mand, and cannot listen to such Ian
guage,' | said sternly. "His majesty
is. perfectly aware of your business with
him and he has intrusted me with his
pleasure concerning il"
A murmur of CONSERVATION went
round the circle at this revelation that
their plot was discovered. At a sign
from the Grand Duke Nicholas the
door was closed, and as if by a COM
mon impulse all the princes drew their
swords.
The grand dukes next words were
spoken in calmer tone:
I'VE have come to warn the En-
peror of plot against his life and to
offer him the means of safety. You
will hinder US at your peril, sir"
There is no plot against the En-
peror's life" said firmly. There is
plot to deprive him of his throne, and
1 am here to defeat i"
The eye of the grand duke flashed,
and he raised his sword with 4 con-
vursive gesture. +
do you accuse u.s." he demanded.
The Emperor is willing to believe
that you have been misled by moro
guilty persons. You have come here
to urge him to abdicate in favor of
the Empress Mother. The Emperor de-
clines to consider such a suggestion,
and therefore you have no further
cause for this intrusion In addition,
the Dowager Empress has authorized
me to tell you that she is no longer
willing to accept the regency. She has
affixed her signature to a proclamation
which cancels the one obtained from
her by YOU"
Even the Grand Duke Nicholas was
Disconnected by this crushing intelli-
gence. He turned to consult with his
imperial kinsmen, and presently l heard
the word "Czarevitch" pronounced in a
low tone.
1T is useless to think of the Care
witch" l called out "He has been re-
moved to place Of safety"
The excited group turned toward me
with faces of astonishment and anger.
One of the younger grand dukes cried:
Either this man must be v or
the deyilp'
One of your guesses is correct, SIT"
said, permitting myself to smile for
the first time.
The Grand Duke Nicholas thrust his
sword back into the scabbard, with the
air of man who knows that the game
is up.
Where is the Emperox, Monsieur
w" he asked in a much milder ac-
cent.
~He is not in the palace" ! an
s,yered rautiousIv
"He has not left Russia" another OF
the grand dukes asked anxiously.
'On the contrary, he has taken ref
uge with his people till his court shall
once more be safe for him He is at
this moment with the leaders of the
Duma."
am sorry not to be aeic to describe
as an eyewitness the still more striking
scene of the reception of Nicholas II
and his little son by the members of
the Duna. Happy is the monarch who
has been taught to look for loyalty, ebt
in the servile homage of courtiers, but
among those whom courtiers are for
ever disparaging as rebels.
By midnight was able to reconduct
the imperial fugitive to Peterhof; and
the subsequent disbanding of the Preo-