V. I.

Lenin

129

To:   V. A. KARPINSKY

Dear Vyach. Al., I am considering every possible way of
travelling. [1]

The following is an absolute secret. Please reply to me immediately and,
perhaps, best by express (I think we won’t ruin the Party by a dozen extra
express letters), so that I can be sure no one has read the letter.

Take out papers in your own name for travelling to France and England,
and I will use them to travel through England (and
Holland ) to Russia.

I can put on a wig.

The photograph will be taken of me with the wig on, and
I shall go to the Consulate in Berne with your papers and wearing
the wig.

You must then disappear from Geneva for a minimum of a few weeks (until
my telegram arrives from Scandinavia):
for this period you must hide yourself well away in the mountains, where,
we shall , of course , pay for your board and lodging.

If you agree, begin preparations immediately in the most
energetic (and most secret) fashion, and drop me a line at once in any
case.

Yours, Lenin

Think over all the practical steps involved and write to me in
detail. I am writing to you because I am convinced that between us
everything will remain absolutely secret.