23. This entry follows:

"To satisfy the mob I had to perform a very unpleasant duty…. I use the word duty advisedly, remembering the instructions I committed to memory in the underground office of the Wilhelmstrasse …. Knowing that I am continually WATCHED and spied upon, not only by that nurse in the window over there, but by a number of crazed lunatics in uniform, I was compelled to treat a very pretty Princess shamefully…. News was spread yesterday that Japan had loaned Siberia $250,000,000, and the mob was clamoring for the jewels of the prisoners. This unoffending Princess—this girl, hardly more than seventeen—was holding a conversation in French with her brother Alexis, a little lad of fourteen, in the courtyard. The boy was pale and emaciated from abuse, solitude and confinement. The Princess, a radiant beauty under this hot July sun, was trying to cheer Alexis up. Her gown was badly soiled and of a simple soft material that seemed to accentuate her modest resignation and glorify her courageous cheerfulness in gloom. Her three older sisters, in gowns that spoke of yesterdays, were walking moodily down the path, when a crowd of ruffians burst by the sentries, tore through the doors, and dashed into the yard in the direction of the startled girls…. Taking in the situation quickly, I raised my voice and began swearing like a demon, and prancing around like a skberny madman…. Then rushing up to Tatiana I TORE FROM HER EARS the jewels that had descended from her early ancestors and howled: 'Aha! you'll wear those cursed things, will you, when your betters are starving in the gutters! Get back, all of you, into your Ipatiev SEPULCHRE and get me ALL the jewelry in the place or I'll turn these men loose upon you in three quarters of an hour!… Soldiers,—attention!!' … The mob crawled into line…. 'The next time any of you men come into this yard without any orders,' I said, I'll have you SHOT WITH THESE PEOPLE IN THE MANSION!… Column right!… March!'… I heard them mumbling as they passed the first sentry that the cursed interloping tovarestch intended to keep all the loot!'…. Following Alexis and his sisters into the ex-Emperor's study I laid down the earrings upon the flat-topped desk and apologized for my apparent act of cowardice and cruelty….

"There was pathos in that father's soft and courteous voice as he looked at me and said: 'I understand,—yes, yes, I know. You are right—quite right. My darlings, you must not blame this man.'"

VIII

WHEN ROYALTY FACES DEATH

24. This entry follows:

"I must jot this down now—who knows what may happen?… Reminding the family that I had promised results in three quarters of an hour, I instructed them in the part each one must take…. Alexis appeared to be listlessly unconcerned and sat upon one corner of the large flat-topped desk, swinging his feet indifferently; but when I started for the door he sprang to attention like a well-trained soldier and awaited the results…. Going to the door fronting in the main street, I called the sentry and ordered him to CALL OUT THE GUARD…. Shortly my selected guard appeared….

"I conducted them through the dining room and told them to help themselves…. Then we roamed through the living rooms, the boudoirs, straight through to the washing room and bath; then back through the oblong archway into the little square room beyond the study, where I halted them and said: 'Men, these women will die before they'll tell us where the treasure is at present. The OLD MAN and WOMAN seem utterly indifferent to their fate; we can get nothing out of them. Now, what do you say to giving them a night to think the matter over before we line them up? We may get more by waiting than by closing their mouths FOREVER….'

"'Not another day!' said one of the men whom I had all along suspected of being suspicious of MY conduct…. 'What say the rest of you?' I asked…. 'Well,' droned the most courageous of them, with a hangdog expression, 'we might give them until midnight.'… 'Very well,' I snapped viciously, I'LL PUT OFF THE EXECUTION till that hour; then if they don't disgorge I'll kill every one of them myself!'… 'Not so fast, comrade!' returned the rebellious one; as a member of the guard I believe I'll keep you company.'

"… I knew better than to object…. That man is a cutthroat beyond redemption and will hesitate at nothing to satisfy his lust…. That'll be fine,' I rejoined; 'YOU STAY WITH ME; the rest of the men are dismissed!'… when the men disappeared I made a run and jump at my diabolical 'comrade' and struck him squarely on the nose. Then I smashed him on the mouth, and, with a down drive of my left, I bored into the pit of his stomach and sent him sprawling on the carpet, where he BLED as profusely as a corn-fed bull…. This blood was exactly what I wanted, and in my anxiety to make a good job of it I kicked him several times in the face until he lay there, motionless and senseless, bleeding from every gash…. In the joy of giving this remorseless bully what he needed to overcome his pride I OVERLOOKED ENTIRELY THE PROPRIETY OF MAKING HIM BLEED IN ALL THE OTHER ROOMS…. This little oversight may cost me a well-earned reputation for efficient management I have hitherto enjoyed among many great men of our times, if the omission be detected by some enterprising commission, some journalist or SERVICE man who will certainly check up my report if I leave this place alive…."