"The Deputy will be difficult to approach," she said. "He is not a fast-living man, like some with whom I have dealt."
"He will not be able to resist a pretty face like yours," Rasputin said confidently.
"Well," she said at last, "I will try, Father. Give me your blessing."
And she went upon her knees, while the erotic blackguard placed his dirty hands upon her head, and, raising his eyes to Heaven, pretended to place upon her his benediction.
Afterwards, before she left us, she told us that she knew that the Deputy had a young man-servant named Protzenko, and it would be her object to first attract his attention and become on intimate terms with him, by which means she would be enabled to visit the servants' quarters of Purishkevitch's house.
"Excellent—if you do not think that you could obtain a place there as servant."
"That would be difficult, for I happen to know that all the servants have been there for years, and that there is no vacancy."
"Well, Olga, act just as you like," the monk said. "Only remove him, and then telephone instantly to me, so that the police can search immediately."
Of the girl Bauer we heard nothing for a fortnight. Time after time I felt impelled to warn the doomed man, but I feared lest Rasputin should suspect me of treachery, the other plots having failed. One night, while at the palace, I was informed by a flunkey that someone wished to speak with the monk on the public telephone, therefore I went to the instrument.
The voice I heard was that of Olga Bauer, who, when she recognised me, said: