By no person in the empire--unless, perhaps, his mother--were Peter's reforms more detested than by the son and heir to whom he expected to intrust them.

He was in close communication with his mother Eudoxia, who in her monastery, holding court like a Tsaritsa, was surrounded by intriguing and disaffected nobles--all praying for the death of Peter.

Every method for reaching the head or heart of this incorrigible son utterly failed.

During Peter's absence abroad in 1717, Alexis disappeared.

Tolstoi, the Tsar's emissary, after a long search tracked him to his hiding place and induced him to return.