The stay of the prosecutor and the investigator in Rakitniki was very funny. It started with the fact that they walked 2 versts in a terrible snowstorm. When they got to our house, they looked like icicles. They started their duties with great energy, but received an equally energetic rebuff from the Maestro. He flatly refused to repeat again what he had already told them, and expressed to them his surprise at their arrival, referring to the fact that since he is in Rakitnoye, it means that he is already being punished, and he was punished after the protocol (detailed) signed by him was handed over to the Highest discretion, therefore, to be questioned again and as a witness, after the fact that by the Highest command the case was allegedly terminated, is completely incomprehensible to him.

 
Irina and I kiss you hard and think about you a lot. Sincerely loving and devoted to you, Feli.

 
One day, the Prosecutor General who was investigating Rasputin’s death visited me. Our meeting reminded me of a vaudeville scene. I expected to meet this high-ranking guardian of justice, a stern and inflexible man, whom I was preparing to fight. But I saw a man who was so excited that he seemed ready to throw himself into my arms.
At breakfast he got up with a glass of champagne in his hand to make a patriotic speech and drink to my health.

Since the conversation turned to hunting, his father asked him if he was a hunter. “No, ” replied this worthy official, thinking his own thoughts, — I have never killed anyone. “Noticing his blunder, he blushed. After breakfast we had a face-to-face conversation. At first, he was at a loss how to talk about the purpose of his visit. I came to his aid, saying that I had nothing to add to the statements that had already been made. He seemed immediately relieved, and during the two-hour conversation Rasputin’s name was not pronounced.

 
Our life in Rakitnoye flowed rather monotonously. The main entertainment was sleigh rides. The winter was frosty, but magnificent. The sun was shining, and there was not the slightest breath of wind: we went out in an open sleigh at 30 degrees below zero and did not get cold. We read aloud in the evening.