dismissed Minister, and endeavoured to revenge for the Constitution of October 17th and the revolution of 1905.
An "infernal machine" was thrown into his motorcar while he, as Member of the Council of State, drove to the Maryiski Palace, but Witte escaped unhurt. The attempt was repeated by sinking a similar contrivance into the chimney over the Premier's cabinet. It was to explode when the stove was lighted. But accidentally a sweep, who happened to clean the chimney early in the morning, discovered the bomb, and the Count escaped again.
He summoned immediately his devoted agent of the political police and instructed him to make inquiries. He learned that the executors were two agents of the "Okhrana," and that the plan had been made by the Chief of Gendarmerie, General Kurlov, and approved by the new Prime Minister, Peter Stolypin.
Witte understood that he would be utterly lost if he should try for the high office and take part in the active policy of the Government. Through secret channels he informed the Tsar that he had given up his political career, and intended to devote himself entirely to the work of the Council of State, which was the Upper Chamber of the Russian Parliament.
He was then left in peace and his life was spared.
Still Witte was able from time to time to vex his enemy and successor in the ministerial chair.
Once I witnessed a very fascinating conversation
