Escape

July 8, 1918

At a few seconds past twelve, two guards lay dead at their posts outside Hotel America, two of Stravitski’s men had donned their uniforms and taken their places, and four men had entered without being detected.

Two more men were left by the stairs, and as Stravitski started down, he heard a sleepy voice say, “Stop making noise. I am sleeping.” His own were the last words the guard heard.

Stravitski and Tsukov walked quietly down the hallway till they came to the corner where it went to the right. Stravitski gave a quick glance and saw one sleeping guard, his rifle against the wall, sitting in front of a door which Stravitski hoped held Reilly and Obolov. Tsukov, as stealthily as a Thugee, came close enough to slit this guard’s throat, as well. Stravitski came to him quickly while Tsukov had already pulled keys from the guard’s tunic.

Stravitski opened the door slowly to see Reilly and Obolov on their backs, on simple cots. As both men looked up, Stravitski had to put his hand over Obolov’s mouth to keep him from screaming; Obolov thought himself in the midst of some horrible nightmare with this ghost in front of him.

You see, Reilly, with all that had happened, had neglected to mention that Stravitski was not dead at all. Or perhaps, even then, he still felt Obolov need not know; for if they were to die, what would it matter? And if they lived, Reilly would have a ready explanation if Obolov found Stravitski alive. However, this proved an emotional trauma Obolov would not forgive.

Reilly smiled as he quickly wakened, Tsukov already handing him a pistol. Reilly told Tsukov to watch the door, Stravitski still clasping Obolov’s mouth shut as he quietly explained he was not dead. Reilly went and patted Stravitski on the back. Obolov was now just silent.

Stravitski said he would explain all later, now they must get out. But Reilly said his papers were with Yurovsky in his room. They must go to the second floor and get them; they would be needed. Stravitski explained to Reilly that Holmes needed Yurovsky alive. He then told Tsukov to take Obolov outside with him, while he and Reilly went upstairs. The two men from the stairs followed them to the second floor.

The drunken guards at the foot of the hill near Gablinev were getting more drunk. That was good and that was not, because one of the guards had just loudly announced his imperative need to relieve himself, and that he was going to do so on his fellow comrades from the height of the hill.

The guard, already unbuttoning his fly, began making his way up the hill.

Holmes, now having regained his religious composure completely, solemnly began mass. He noticed it was the Tsarevich who first probably realized that Holmes was not Father Storozhev. As Alexei, sitting next to his father began to try to get his attention, Holmes came around the table, gestured that all should continue their prayers, and handed the Tsar the paper from the Father.

Holmes said the Tsar looked at the paper, looked at Holmes, looked at the paper again, then very carefully looked at Holmes again. The Tsar said nothing, but smiled to Holmes in a way of understanding, humour, and thanks. More importantly, in a whisper, he told his family to do everything Holmes said. The Tsarina and the Grand Duchesses did not seem to understand what was going on, but Alexei knew instantly and gave Holmes the biggest grin Holmes had ever seen on a child.

As Holmes made his way towards the boards to the tunnel, everything seemed to be going well. It was sixteen minutes past midnight.

Snoring could be heard through the closed doors at Cheka headquarters. Reilly knew which room was Yurovsky’s because he had listened as Yurovsky had given instructions early for one of his new men to fetch something from his room. There were no guards on this floor, these were officers’ quarters. Guards slept in the rear of the first floor and in the downstairs area. The rest were billeted at the Verk-Isestsk factory, and most of those were guarding the train.

Reilly had one of Stravitski’s men go the far end of the hall to keep watch around the corner; the other remained at the top stairs.

Reilly cautiously opened the door to find Yurovsky leaning over our papers. Reilly pointed his pistol and Yurovsky simply put his hands in the air. He smiled at Reilly and said, “I must show you my other foot so you can put the shoe on.”

Stravitski entered and Reilly told him to bind and gag Yurovsky.

“You mistake this, Comrade Commissar,” said Reilly, “my orders come from Cheka headquarters in Moscow. If I fail in my mission, it will mean my head. And if I fail because of the Ekaterinburg Cheka, it will mean my balls. I am sure you can see my predicament.

“However, you were courteous to me, so as you see, I am returning the favour and not having you shot; merely bound.” Yurovsky nodded as if to say thank you.

Stravitski finished, and Yurovsky was one with the chair.

“Now, I cannot promise that I shall behave this way again; so please be wise and stay put. Someone will happen along eventually and set you free; just as my friends have done with me.” But now Reilly’s tone became harsh.

“But know this, Comrade Commissar, the Romanovs are mine now, and I shall bring them to trial in Moscow whether you live or do not.” Then he turned charming again as Stravitski left the room and Reilly turned to do likewise.

“Think of me as doing you a favour. By me taking the responsibility for the Romanovs, I am absolving you of yours. Forgive me if I don’t wish you luck.”

As Reilly stepped outside, the man at the top step turned to go down, and Stravitski followed hard behind. Stravitski then heard footsteps behind but thought it was the second guard bringing up the rear. It was a fatal mistake.

Suddenly Reilly heard a gasp from Stravitski. He whirled around and saw a Cheka officer had plunged a knife into Stravitski’s back, and the second guard with Reilly was doing likewise to the officer. The guard was terrified at what he had permitted to happen, but had the good sense to hold the officer’s body as it went limp and quietly laid it on the floor. Reilly was doing likewise with Stravitski.

As Reilly held Stravitski’s head, Stravitski smiled at him and said, “This time, Obolov will not believe you.”

With that, he died.

Holmes was still conducting the loud portion of the mass as the men in the tunnel undid the bolts from below and slowly pushed the boards up. The Tsarina let out a mild gasp as the board-door rose up, seemingly out of the bowels of hell, and the Grand Duchesses were now completely confounded. But as they looked to the Tsar, and saw his calm expression and heard his quiet words, they understood they were being rescued, and continued to obey the Tsar’s whispered commands to do as Holmes said.

Holmes now bid them go down into the tunnel, indicating the Tsar to hand down the Tsarevich first. From the expression on the boy’s face, Holmes could tell he was just like other fourteen-year-olds, enjoying a great adventure.

As Alexei was handed down to strong, thankful hands, Holmes gestured the nuns and a man up. As a Grand Duchess went down the stairs, a nun would take up her low incantation.

And so it went until only the Tsar remained. He had already taken a step down when he suddenly stopped and turned to Holmes who had been helping him down. The Tsar smiled at him, and continued after his family.

As soon as he had reached bottom, Holmes bid the nuns start down, and then the last man. Then Holmes himself climbed down the stairs and waited at the foot while the last man retightened the bolts from below.

He then rushed back to the church. It was twelve-thirty.

As the drunken guard reached the top of the hill, one of Gablinev’s men grabbed him from behind while another stabbed him in the heart. Gablinev, trying to imitate the dead man’s voice, then yelled down that he was sick and needed help. Two more guards ventured up the hill never to come down. The last guard was still drinking from his bottle, his face turned towards the station, when one of Gablinev’s men stabbed him, as well.

Then Gablinev and his men got close enough to the guards and opened fire just as his other men from the lake did likewise.

As hoped, Reilly’s men, thinking themselves under attack, grabbed their weapons and opened fire at Yurovsky’s men. Gablinev shouted to Reilly’s men, as did others, that they were there to effect their freedom. In a few minutes, the four other Cheka guards surrendered. Gablinev had their throats slit.

The two small forces shook hands as Gablinev explained what they were to do next, and relayed Holmes’ orders about getting the locomotive fired up. Lt. Zimin obeyed, and all waited for the Imperial Family, Holmes, Watson, Reilly, and the others to arrive.

When Holmes got to the foot of the stairs leading to the church, the nuns were already seated on chairs in the tunnel, candles lighting their way, their prayer books at the ready. Two of Gablinev’s men would stay with the nuns until they were safely out the next night.

Holmes thanked them all, and as he climbed the stairs, the Ladies blessed him.

When he climbed into Father Storozhev’s study, Holmes saw me holding the Tsarevich. He had been lifted up to me, and I could not but think of my son, John, just about the same age as this helpless and weak poor boy.

The Father was busily explaining everything to the Imperial Family, and Holmes did not even have time to begin pulling off his false beard when Reilly burst in. The others with him remained outside, guarding the church.

At the sight of a Cheka Colonel, the Tsarina gave out a scream, but Father Storozhev calmed her and reminded her that this was the supposed Bolshevik he had told them about. The Tsarina quieted herself. Reilly, upon seeing the Grand Duchess Tatiana, stopped himself for ever the briefest of moments just staring at her, then saw Holmes in the Father’s hassock, shook his head in disbelief, and motioned Holmes to quicken the pace. He looked back at Tatiana, and she at him, as he ran out.

As Holmes changed his clothing, one of Gablinev’s men was already tying up Father Storozhev. The Tsarina and the Grand Duchesses began to cry as this was done and tried to stop the man from hitting the Father across the face; an act of necessity to further convince the Bolsheviks of his innocence when they found him.

The Father was gently laid on the floor, the bolts to the tunnel had already been tightened, and the Imperial Family, with Alexei now given to one of the younger and stronger men, was being hustled out of the study. The Tsarina was weeping as she fled, the Grand Duchesses, as well, their heads craning backwards for one last look at the Father.

Holmes was the last to leave the study, and told me later that in act of sheer role reversal, he blessed the Father; Holmes claimed he still had the cross around his neck, which he then laid carefully on Father Storozhev’s desk; along with some papers.

As Holmes left, he heard the Father’s faint prayers.

As we passed the British Consulate, we saw Preston and Thomas wave to us for good luck. I waved back. But things seemed to be going too well, I thought. And I was proved correct almost immediately; for as our motor cars approached the Verk-Isestsk factory cum barracks, there were soldiers waiting in ambush.

The lead car with Tsukov and his men was machine gunned. I believe Tsukov was killed instantly. The car with Reilly and Obolov was next and stopped immediately. The next auto bore the Imperial Family, which also immediately stopped, while Holmes and I were in the rear car with the last few of Gablinev’s men.

Reilly, Obolov and all the available guards fanned out and returned fire, but there were no machine guns. Reilly had Obolov lead some men to catch the Reds on their right flank, and after some harsh and intense moments, the shooting ceased.

I saw Reilly running back to the Imperial Family. He said something, ran back to his motor car, and we started up again.

Within a very few minutes we were at the station. The locomotive was ready, Gablinev and his men knelt upon seeing the Imperial Family, and Reilly and Obolov helped them into what had previously been our compartments.

Holmes and I thanked Gablinev, and as we shook hands, Reilly called to forget the pleasantries and get aboard. This we did quickly.

As the train pulled out, headed due west towards Perm, Holmes waved to Gablinev and his men as long as he could see them in the night.

It was only much later that I would learn the fates of Father Storozhev, the nuns, Gablinev, and his men.