he begged of Rasputin to receive him, and the monk,
after two refusals on the plea that he was too busy, at last consented
ungraciously.

The result of that interview was that Nicholas Ganskau disgorged a
further hundred thousand roubles for the bribing of an enemy who did not
exist!

After the banker had left, Rasputin, full of satisfaction as he held the
draft for the amount in his dirty paw, dictated to me another letter
addressed to the Minister of the Interior, which read:

"His Majesty the Emperor, having full knowledge of the charge of
murder made against Nicholas Ganskau of Tver, orders that the
inquiries concerning the case be abandoned and that the person
suspected be not further molested."

This was duly signed by the monk and delivered by me at the Ministry an
hour later.

Such orders Rasputin frequently gave in the name of His Majesty, who,
even if he knew of them, never questioned them.

This, however, did not end the affair, for twelve months afterwards
Ganskau, who, scot-free, had taken up his residence in the Avenue
Villiers, in Paris, where he was leading a very gay life, received an
unexpected visit from Prince Gorianoff, who, making pretence that he had
severed his friendship with Rasputin, hinted that as the monk held in his
possession the written confession of his crime, it might be worth while
to obtain and destroy it.

This suggestion Ganskau at once welcomed, thanking the prince for his
kindly intervention.

Then the latter made a remark which in itself showed how expert a
blackmailer he was.

"You see, as the girl Elise was a French subject, if the French police
ever get hold of the truth it would go very badly with you," he declared.

The banker's face went pale as death.

"I never thought of that!" he gasped. "Yes, I must get that confession at
all hazards," he cried.

"I am prepared to assist you," said the scoundrel coolly. "Of course to
obtain it from such a man as Rasputin presents many difficulties. He will
never part with it willingly."

"Then how shall we get it?"

"It must be stolen."

The banker remained silent for a few moments.

"You see," went on the prince, "one can never tell into whose hands may
fall that collection of confessions which the Father has extracted from
those who are guilty."

"And you think you can obtain it for me?" asked the banker.

"I am still friendly with many of Rasputin's friends. It is merely a
matter of paymen