The Washington herald., 1914-11-08

Family Council has decided to deprive
the Emperor Nicholas of the throne
in your majesty's favor. Dethroned
Cars are not long lived"
1t was impossible to doubt the sin
cere indignation with which the EN-
press replied.
"You have been misinformed. The
Emperor's uncles, learning that there
is plot against his life, think it their
duty to advise him to retire to a place
of safety for time; and they wish
me to assume the regency in his abb
sence That is all"
| l shook my head regretfully.
Il fear it is you, madam, who have
been misled The intention of the plot
ters is that the Emperor shall abdicate,
and they are relying on something
stronger than advice"
"You are sure of what you say?"
81 have it from the officer who has
it in charge to take the Emperor's
sword from him. When swords are be-
ing struggled for, accidents sometimes
happen"
The Dowager Czarina was over
whelmed.
What shall ? dol confde in you
absolutely. This step has been fixed for
tomorrow night, and my own procIa-
nation dissolving the Duma is already
in the printers handsp
| In few words l outlined the course
which / purposed to follow, and OBJ
tanned cher maiesty's signature to a
counter proclamation, for use in case
of emergency.
My former services to his majesty
made it easy for me to obtain admis-
sion to his presence. l will not dwell
on my reception, nor on the painful
emotions with which the Gar listened
to the story was obliged to unfold.
! had found him actually dressed in
the uniform of the Preobrazhensky
Regiment, of which he was honorary
colonel He had assumed it, no doubt,
as a compliment to the battalion which
was to come on guard at the palace in
few hours time When l told him of
the part which the regiment had been
chosen to play in his deposition, Mich
olas II gave way completely.
My own regimentP' he exclaimed
with heaTt-broken sigh. Rising from
his seat, he deliberately unbuttoned the
gorgeous tunic he was wearing and
cast it on the floor. Il shall never put
on that coat again.
| When l had completed my statement
the unfortunate monarch gazcd at me
in despair.
"And now what do YOU suggest that
] should do?' he asked me.
The leaders of the Constitutional
party" l explained, "arc assembled pri-
yatcly in place known only to them
selves. where they await your majesty.
1t will only be necessary for you to re-
main with them for a few hours, when
l hope to be able to bring you the news
that the conspiracy is abandoned"
What about the Czarevitch:" he
asked anxiously. rs there no danger
that they may proclaim him when they
find that the Empress Mother will not
accept the throne?"
Take the Czarevitch with you, sire"
| advised. "Show yourself to the lead
ers of the Duma, with your son in your
arms, like Maria Theresa, and invite
them to become his guardians"
The suggestion appealed to the En-
peror's generous instincts. The means
Icf escape from the palace were already
provided.
Only two servants of approved fdel-
ity and discretion were taken into the
secret. The infant .Ciarevitch was
brought to his father, as if to be taken
for drive in the park Then the mon
arch of all the Russias, dressed like. a
private person, and carrying in his
arms the heir to his throne, stole out
OF his palace like an escaping prisoner
l accompanied his majesty till he had
taken his seat in the covered motor car
which / had provided TO convey him
through the streets Of the capital Then
I returned with the same precautions,
and shut my self up in the imperial
cabinet to await the denouenent.
II was already growing dark, and the