y pale and much agitated. His wealth was proverbial in Russia, and
even in banking circles in Paris and London. His brother was one of the
secretaries of the Russian Embassy in Paris.

With due ceremony, after the banker had removed his light
overcoat, I conducted him into the monk's presence.

As Ganskau bowed towards the mysterious influence behind the Imperial
Throne, I saw the quick, inquisitive hawk's glance which Rasputin gave
him. Then I turned and, closing the door, left the pair together, and
returned to where the prince was waiting. Gorianoff was a clever and
unscrupulous scoundrel of exquisite manners and most plausible tongue. It
was for that reason that the holy Father employed him.

As he leaned back in a padded arm-chair, smoking lazily while he awaited
his victim's reappearance, he laughed merrily and whispered to me that
the rich man from Tver would, "if properly handled," prove a gold mine.

"Mind, Feodor--be careful to impress upon the Father to obtain something
incriminating from the banker in writing. He is hard pressed, I know, and
in order to save himself he will commit any folly."

"Men who are pushed into a corner seldom pause to think," I remarked.

"If the police are upon them, as I know they are in this case, then no
time is afforded for reflection."

By the prince's manner I knew that he felt confident of making big
profits. The great Ganskau, the Rothschild of Russia, desired Gregory's
aid, and Gregory would assist him--at a price. While we were talking
Madame Vyrubova rang on the telephone to inquire if Rasputin had left for
Tsarskoe-Selo.

I replied in the negative, whereupon she said: "Tell him not to come
to-night. The Emperor has quarrelled with Alix, and it will be best for
him to be absent. The boy [meaning the little Tsarevitch] will be taken
ill in the night, and then he can come to-morrow and heal him."

I understood. The woman Vyrubova, so trusted by the Tsaritza, was about
to administer another dose of that baneful drug to the poor invalid
boy--a drug which would produce partial paralysis, combined with symptoms
which puzzled every physician called to see him.

It was not until nearly half an hour later that Rasputin opened the door
of his room, and, crossing himself piously, laid his hands upon his
breast and dismissed his petitioner.

"Your desire shall be granted," he said in final farewell. "But you must
write me the reason you desire my assistance. I always insis