First, Prince Yusupov and the others fed poisoned cakes and wine to Rasputin. The Czarina's dissolute monk seemed to thrive on them. He called for more wine and went on with the party.
Next, the conspirators shot the starets a few times, and that slowed him down. He was still alive, but less chipper. Assassination as low comedy: now they doggedly carried Rasputin out to the frozen Neva and shoved him through a hole in the ice. He kept bobbing to the surface.
Finally, at the end of the assassins' long night of work, the old charlatan got worn out and...
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