The new President of the Council of Ministers, Avkzentieff, presided at the banquet, and as we sat down I found myself at the end of the head table, which gave me a good view of the stranger I had seen in the vestibule sitting second round the corner.  The dinner was good, the vodka gave warmth to the blood and made a very pleasant contrast to the “60 below” outside.  Avkzentieff led the speeches.  Immediately my mind flew to Hyde Park Corner, and then to the Lyceum stage with Irving in “The Bells.”  He spoke with assumed sincerity, cutting the air with his hands in the manner that a Cossack sweeps off a head with his blade.  He sank his voice and hissed his words in a hoarse stage whisper, while pointing to the ceiling with a dramatic forefinger.  In other words, he was the best actor it had been my pleasure to see for a long time—­a second edition of his more famous colleague, the futile Kerensky.  Little did I dream that within a few days I would beg for this man’s life and that the Middlesex Regiment would shield him from eternity.

Then followed a speech by General Knox (Chief of the British Military Mission), who implored all classes of Russian thought to pull together to establish an Army and a Government capable of supporting law and public order, a speech full of patriotism and very much to the point.  Then came General Bolderoff, Commander-in-Chief of the new Russian army and military member of the Ufa Directorate.  He had the appearance of a big, brave, blundering Russian officer.  Not too much brain, cunning, but not clever.  I should, however, give him credit for more than ordinary honesty.  Later Admiral Koltchak spoke—­just a few short definite sentences.  Very few cheers or shouts greeted this orator.  He seemed more lonely than ever, but presented a personality that dominated the whole gathering.  There was the usual passing round and signing of menus.  I sent mine direct to the admiral for his signature, and when he automatically passed it to General Bolderoff I said “Neat,” and it was returned with the solitary name of this solitary man.  I was now absolutely satisfied that the new Government was a combination that refused to mix, and took the most stringent precautions to see that my unit did not become involved in its impending overthrow.  I, however, made an important discovery at this congratulatory banquet, namely, that Russia still had one man who was able to rescue her from anarchy.

The business of Omsk went on much as usual, but Omsk society became more subdued in its whisperings.  Clique countered clique, and conspirators undermined conspirators, while a peculiar tension hung over all.