... 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.
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