Page:John Feoktist Dudikoff - Beasts in Cassocks (1924).djvu/122

 The first time, on a Wednesday, we saw Bishop Alexander Nemolovsky. Dudikoff asked Bishop Alexander in my presence when his money, $7,600.00 would be refunded to him, saying that he, Dudikoff, had meanwhile received only $200.00 and a New Testament. To this Alexander Nemolovsky replied: "I know nothing about it. It was not I who sent you either the money or the New Ttestament. Com back at 3:00 o'clock on Friday afternoon. Father Richlov will be here then, and he will discuss the matter." With this Dudikoff and I left.

The second time we called, as told by Bishop Alexander, on Friday but at 2:00 o'clock instead of at 3:00 o'clock. We asked to be announced to Metropolitan Platon or to Bishop Alexander Nemolovsky. With us was also Dudikoff's wife. We had to wait until 3:30. We asked once more to be announced. The butler, returning from the Bishop's apartment, said to us: "The Bishop asks you to call to-morrow, because Father Richlov is not here at present and therefore you can get no audience."

In spite of this answer we decided to wait. Soon Alexander Nemolovsky appeared, accompanied by another clergyman. Dudikoff was the first to ask the Bishop for his blessing, but as soon as Alexander espied him he literally leaped aside and the priest who was with him instinctively jumped aside from the Bishop. Alexander then shouted: "Go to the devil! No blessing for you!" And in another minute he added: "I have already sent word to you that Father Richlov was not here and that therefore there will b no recption. I hav not and am not going to announce you to Metropolitan Platon. If you don't like the New Testament he presented you with, leave it here." After this, Bishop Alexander ran out of the room, and we went to call on V. V. Buimistrov, head of the Russian Relief, at his office, 350 West 87th Street, to ask his advice.

At first Buimistrov received only myself. After having heard my request, he asked me who the man with me was. I introduced Dudikoff, and the latter told Buimistrov in detail about his case, mentioning also his "Written Confession." Buimistrov promised to look in into the matter thoroughly and asked us to come for an answer on Tuesday.

Under the fresh impression of Bishop Alexander's words: "There will be no reception because Father Richlov is not in," I askd Buimistrov: "Mr. Buimistrov, will you kindly tel me, who is the Elder in our Consistory, and who is in charge of receiving callers, Bishop Alexander or Father Richlov?" To this Buimistrov replied that Alexander was in charge of receiving callers, and I told him how