nearly midnight
`` NIKKI . '' The monk at once flew to the Empress 's side , where Stürmer was being received in audience . Again the situation was eagerly discussed . That night , when we returned to Petrograd , although it was nearly midnight , Protopopoff was summoned by telephone , and when the pair met I learnt what had been arranged at the Palace . The Empress 's wishes were to be carried out . The patriot Miliukoff was to be `` removed . '' MATTERS were now growing daily more desperate in Russia .