“I am worried by the awful rumours. No details. Remember what I wrote to you.—Alec.”

Four days later Her Majesty telegraphed again to the Tsar:

“Tsarskoe-Selo, December 30th, 4:37 p.m.

“Can you send Voyeipoff to me at once? I want his help and advice. We still hope for the best. Dmitri and Felix are implicated.—Alec.”

Six hours later she again telegraphed frantically:

“Tsarskoe-Selo, December 30th, 10:24 p.m.

“Nothing discovered yet. Felix stopped on his way to Crimea. How I wish you were here.—Alec.”

And again at midnight she sent two further telegrams. The first read:

“Tsarskoe-Selo, December 30th, 11:47 p.m.

“Father (Rasputin) is no more. Punish the enemies of Russia and of our House. Come back at once. I can bear it no longer.—Alec.”