in turn, would tell their husbands, and the rumours
would quickly be propagated.

"I have had another reassuring telegram from Downing Street," Stuermer
remarked, with a grin. "I dare not publish it, otherwise it would upset
our friends in Berlin."

"As I have told you, the Kaiser forbids the publication of any of our
reassurances from France or England--especially from the English, whom he
hates so deeply. What, I wonder, will be the fate of the English when he
is able to send an army of invasion across the North Sea?"

"If he is ever able. I doubt it," remarked the traitorous Premier of
Russia.

"He certainly intends doing so," said Rasputin. "And when he does I
should be sorry to be in Britain. They will treat the civilians worse
than they did the Belgians."

"Yes; he intended being in Paris two years ago," replied the goat-bearded
_debauche_ in uniform.

"It is time I saw another vision," said the monk presently. "I shall see
one to-night most probably--one concerning our defeat."

"Do," urged Stuermer. "You have not had a vision for quite a long time. It
impresses all classes, and we can make so much use of it when dealing
with Nicholas. He believes as thoroughly in your visions as in the
spirit-voice of the dead Alexander."

Next day the whole world of Petrograd was startled.

To Grichka the Blessed Virgin had once again revealed herself, just as
she had done years ago to the peasant girl at Lourdes.

The Procurator of the Holy Synod called to see him at noon to inquire of
him personally, and ascertain what he had seen. Rasputin, with his hands
crossed over his breast, turned his dark eyes heavenward, and said:

"It is true that last night, just after midnight, as I was praying in my
room, Our Lady appeared unto me in a cloud of shining light. She was
clothed in bright blue, and in her hands she bore a bunch of lilies.
Behind her I saw a picture of a great battlefield, where our soldiers
were retreating in disorder, being shot down in hundreds by the
machine-guns of the enemy--and worse--and worse!" And the charlatan hid
his face in his hands as though to shut out the horror of the
recollection.

"What else?" asked the head of the Russian Church. "Tell me, O Father."

"It is too terrible--the public must not know----" he gasped, as though
in fear. "I saw our Emperor killed on the field of battle; he was struck
in the head by a piece of shell from one of the German long-range guns,
and half his fac