But when someone threatens and is in a fury there is no immediate danger, I know.  It is true in every case of life.  So I was quiet for the night.  I put my overcoat under my head and slept all night.

Next morning I began to work ... (several pages missing.)

25

(First letter to M. Goroshkin)

“Madame L. obtained from the Princess G-n some particulars.  So in addition to the reports forwarded to you through Hatzkelman, I herewith send you more: 

The Tsar’s family arrived in Tobolsk from Tumen on the S/S “Russ” September 3rd, together with SS/SS “Kitai” and “Petrograd.”  On the last two were the accompanying persons and the “Detachment of Special Destination,” with Col.  Kobylinsky in command, and Mr. Makarov supervising the voyage....  For three days the “Russ” was lying near the pier, for the Governor’s Mansion was not yet ready for occupancy.  So nobody was allowed to go ashore.  During these days crowds of people were assembled near the piers, and though in the mob there were certain evil agitators, the people in general were sympathetic, understanding the exile as a “dreadful plot of Ministers against the Emperor.”  The Heir was the center of the attention of the Tobolians, and his personality was not at all blasphemed.

The Emperor and the Empress, with the children, were finally put in the Mansion,—­by the way its name is now “The Home of Liberty,” which is on the main street of Tobolsk,—­the Great Piatnitzkaya, also renamed now into Liberty Street.

The Governor’s Mansion is a three-story stone house, white, with a big entrance hall from Tuliatskaya Street, there is not any entrance from Liberty Street.  There is a small square place before the entrance.  Here they built up a fence, not very high.  They fixed the fence so that no one can go over it, as the boards are trimmed sharp and have nails.  All the windows look onto Liberty Street.  On the opposite side of Liberty Street are private houses.  Right across the street is the house of Kornilov Brothers, also a stone building; three stories, and in this house are those who went with the family in exile.

There are sentinels around.  On Tuliatskaya Street near the fence—­at its ends and in the middle,—­three soldiers, on Liberty Street—­four soldiers; two soldiers near the entrance hall.

Though the entrance is fenced, one can see the street from the house, also from the street one can see what is going on on the stairway.

In the Kornilov House (both Kornilovs are away) are living:  Dr. Botkin with his son Gleb and Miss Botkin; Dr. Derevenko—­a man with the same name as the tutor of Alexis; Monsieur Gillard, a Swiss instructor of the Hier; Captain Melnik (I heard that he is going to marry M-elle Botkin); Lady-in-waiting Countess G.; M-me Schneider and several others; I shall give you their names in my next letter.

The Emperor and the Empress used to have certain liberties, they could even go to church.  But then no one was admitted there, unless they could get in under the pretext of being singers in the choir.  Many were going,—­used to go to the Anunciation Church.  They would put soldiers all of the way from the Mansion to the Church.  Reports are coming that these church parades are stopped and a chapel is being built in the Mansion.