23.  This entry follows: 

“To satisfy the mob I had to perform a very unpleasant duty....  I use the word duty advisedly, remembering the instructions I committed to memory in the underground office of the Wilhelmstrasse ....  Knowing that I am continually WATCHED and spied upon, not only by that nurse in the window over there, but by a number of crazed lunatics in uniform, I was compelled to treat a very pretty Princess shamefully....  News was spread yesterday that Japan had loaned Siberia $250,000,000, and the mob was clamoring for the jewels of the prisoners.  This unoffending Princess—­this girl, hardly more than seventeen—­was holding a conversation in French with her brother Alexis, a little lad of fourteen, in the courtyard.  The boy was pale and emaciated from abuse, solitude and confinement.  The Princess, a radiant beauty under this hot July sun, was trying to cheer Alexis up.  Her gown was badly soiled and of a simple soft material that seemed to accentuate her modest resignation and glorify her courageous cheerfulness in gloom.  Her three older sisters, in gowns that spoke of yesterdays, were walking moodily down the path, when a crowd of ruffians burst by the sentries, tore through the doors, and dashed into the yard in the direction of the startled girls....  Taking in the situation quickly, I raised my voice and began swearing like a demon, and prancing around like a skberny madman....  Then rushing up to Tatiana I TORE FROM HER EARS the jewels that had descended from her early ancestors and howled:  ’Aha! you’ll wear those cursed things, will you, when your betters are starving in the gutters!  Get back, all of you, into your Ipatiev SEPULCHRE and get me ALL the jewelry in the place or I’ll turn these men loose upon you in three quarters of an hour!...  Soldiers,—­attention!!’ ...  The mob crawled into line....  ‘The next time any of you men come into this yard without any orders,’ I said, I’ll have you SHOT WITH THESE PEOPLE IN THE MANSION!...  Column right!...  March!’...  I heard them mumbling as they passed the first sentry that the cursed interloping tovarestch intended to keep all the loot!’....  Following Alexis and his sisters into the ex-Emperor’s study I laid down the earrings upon the flat-topped desk and apologized for my apparent act of cowardice and cruelty....

“There was pathos in that father’s soft and courteous voice as he looked at me and said:  ’I understand,—­yes, yes, I know.  You are right—­quite right.  My darlings, you must not blame this man.’”

VIII

WHEN ROYALTY FACES DEATH

24.  This entry follows: 

“I must jot this down now—­who knows what may happen?...  Reminding the family that I had promised results in three quarters of an hour, I instructed them in the part each one must take....  Alexis appeared to be listlessly unconcerned and sat upon one corner of the large flat-topped desk, swinging his feet indifferently; but when I started for the door he sprang to attention like a well-trained soldier and awaited the results....  Going to the door fronting in the main street, I called the sentry and ordered him to CALL OUT THE GUARD....  Shortly my selected guard appeared....