Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1901-12-25
CHAPTER XVIII.

bility of that fact, they would have Ger
tainly considered it impossible.
The grand duke had quickly moveo
toward his aid-de-camp.
'That courierw said he.
A man entered. 9e had the air OF
one worn out by fatigue. He wore the
costume Of a Siberian peasant. much
worn, even torn, and on which one
could see bullet holes. A Russian bon
net covered his head. A scar. badly
healed crossed his face. The man haC
evidently followed q long and trying
route. His shoes and stockings, In
bad state, even proved that he hat
made part of his journey on foot.
"His highness the grand duke" said
he on entering.
The grand duke went up to him.
"Are you a courier from the czarp
he asked him.
Eyes, your highness."
"You come from
"Moscow."
"You left Moscow
'SThe 18th Of July"
"You are called
Michael Strogoff."
It was Ivan Ogareff. He had taken
the name and position Of the man
whom he believed to be powerless.
Neither the grand duke nor any other
person In Irkutsk knew him. He had
not even needed to disguise his fea-
lures. AS he had the means Of proving
his pretended identity. no one could
doubt him. He came. then, sustained
by a will Of iron. to hasten by treason
and assassination the conclusion of the
drama Of the invasion.
After the answer of Ivan Ogaref the
grand duke made sign. and all bis
officers retired.
The fictitious Michael Strogoff and he
remained alone In the room.
The grand duke looked at Ivan Oga-
ref for some seconds and with the
greatest attention. Then he asked him;
"You were on the 18th Of July at
Moscow"
"Yes. your highness. and on the night
from the 14th to the 18th l saw his
majesty the car at the New palace"
"You have q letter from the czar?'
Here 1t is"
And Ivan Ogareff handed to the
grand duke the imperial letter, reduced
to dimensions almost microscopic.
"Was that letter given to you in that
state" asked the grand duke.
"No, your highness, but l was COM
pelled to tear open the envelope In or
der to better conceal it from the Tartar
soldiers"
Have you. then, been a prisoner of
the Tartars"
"Yes. your highness. during a few
days." answered Ivan Ogareff. ut is
on that account that, having set out
from Moscow on the 18th Of July. |
only arrived at Irkutsk on the I'd OF
October after a journey Of sixty-nine
days."
The grand duke took the letter He
unfolded it and recognized the sigma
ture Of the czar, preceded by the sacra'
mental formula, written with his own
hand. Hence there was no possible
doubt concerning the authenticity of
that letter nor indeed concerning the
identity Of the courier. If his fierce
look at first inspired mlstrust, the
grand duke did not allow it to be seen
and soon the mistrust disappeared al.
together.
The grand duke remained some mo-
ments without speaking. He was read
ing slowly the letter in order to thor
oughly gather the sense Of 1t.
Taking up again the speech, be ask
ed:
Michael Strogoff. do you know the
contents Of this letter."
"Yes, your highness. l might have
been compelled to destroy it to prevent
it from falling into the hands Of the
Tartars, and If that should happen
wished to bring its contents 10 youl
highness."
do you know that this letter enjoins
us to die at Irkutsk rather than sur
render the city,"
81 know it,"
"Do you also know that 1t points ou
the movements Of the troops who have
combined to check the invasion|
"Yes. your highness. But those move
ments have not succeeded"
"What do you mean?"
81 wish to tell you that Ichim, Omsk
Tomsk, not to speak Of other importan
towns Of the two Siberias, have beer
one after another occupied by the sol
diers Of Feofar-Khan."
But has there been a battle? Hav'
our Cossacks ever met the Tartars"
Several times. your highness."
"And they were repulsed?'
"They were not in sufficient strength.
"Where have the encounters takel
place Of which you speak?'
AT Kalyvan. at Tomsk."
Up to this time Ivan Ogareff had onl.
told the truth. but with the object o
fighting the defenders Of Irkutsk b.
exaggerating the advantages obtained
by the troops Of the emir, he added:
And q third time before kraSnol
arsk."
And that last engagement askc'
the grand duke, whose firmly set lip
scarcely allowed the words to pass.
1T was more than an engagement
your highness," answered Ivan Oga
rcff. .sit was q hattle"
"A battle"
"Twenty thousand Russians. comm
from the provinces Of the frontier an