had committed, wished to escape
scot-free, then they interviewed the elegant Prince Gorianoff at his
house in the Zacharievskaya. This individual, whom the police of Europe
know as a Continental swindler, would quickly gauge the petitioner's
means, and screw from him every rouble possible before putting the matter
before the caster out of devils.

One day, as I sat alone at lunch with Rasputin, the prince called, and
sitting down at the table unceremoniously declared:

"I have done a very good stroke of business this morning, my dear
Gregory. You have probably heard of Ganskau of Tver."

"The great banker, eh?"

"The same. He is one of the wealthiest men in Russia. He wants
something, and he can afford to pay, though he seems very close-fisted at
present."

"What does he want?" growled the monk.

The scoundrel who bore the title of prince made a grimace, and said:

"He wants to put a suggestion before you. He refuses to tell me what it
is--except that it is very urgent and brooks no delay. I told him that he
would have to pay five thousand roubles if he desired to have an
interview--and he has paid it. Here is the money!" And he drew from his
pocket a bundle of banknotes.

"But, my dear Peter," exclaimed the pious fraud, "I have no time to
barter with these people. I cannot see him."

"Take my advice, Gregory, and listen to what he has to say," replied the
adventurer, who had lived all his life on his wits in London, Paris and
Rome--and had lived well too. "If I am not mistaken he will tell you a
strange thing, and if you get it down in writing--in writing,
remember--that letter will be worth a very large sum of money in the near
future. As I have said--he wants something urgently--and he must be made
to pay."

"Very well," Rasputin replied grudgingly. "I will see him--at four
o'clock this afternoon. Feodor," he added, turning to me, "make a note
that I see this banker man."

At four o'clock punctually a fine car drew up, and a stout, overdressed,
full-bearded man alighted and was shown into the room where I awaited him
with the prince.

"Ah!" cried the latter, welcoming him warmly. "You had my message over
the telephone. I have, after great difficulty, induced the holy Father to
consent to see you. He is due at Tsarskoe-Selo, but he has just
telephoned to the Empress that he is delayed. And the delay is in order
to hear you."

"I am sure I am most grateful, Prince," declared the banker, who seemed
ver