Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1901-12-31
CHAPTER XII.

/ OdAPICh XII.
!: :: : : : : :: ::
HE next day. the 18th o.
August, the loud tonguet
trumpets sounded through
Il the camp. The Tartar sol
[H6SWSSN diers spran0s at once t.
Ivan Ogareff. after hav
ing quilted Zabedeiro, arrived, accom-
panied by a numerous stat Of Tartal
officers. His face was more serious
than usual, and his contracted outlines
indicated a great anger. which was onl,
waiting for some object on which Il
hurl itself.
Michael StrogofY, lost in q group ol
prisoners, saw this man pass by. III
had a presentinent that q great calam
fty was about to happen. for Ivan Oga
ref now knew that Maria Strogof wal
the mother Of Michael Strogof, captain
In the corps Of the couriers Of the car
Ivan Ogaren arrived at the center oi
the camp. dismounted from his horse
and the horsemen Of his escort formed
q large circle around him.
At that moment Sangarre approach
| ed and said:
'I have nothing new Of which to In
form you. Ivan."
Ivan Ogareff answered only In giving
a short command to one of his officers
Immediately the ranks Of the prisoners
were travsYsed In a brutal manner by
the soldiers. These unfortunate ones
urged on with blows and pushed with
| the wood of the lances. quickly arang
ed themselves along the outer edge OF
the camp. Four lines Of Infantry and
cavalry drawn up at the back rendered
all escape impossible.
Order for silence was at once given
and at sign from Ivan Ogarcff San
garre directed her steps toward the
group In the middle Of which was Mar
fa Strogoff.
The old Siberian saw her coming
She understood what was about to hap.
pen. A disdainful smile played on her
lips. Then. turning to Nadia. she said
to her IN low voice:
"You do pot know me any longer, my
daughter. Whatever happens and how
ever trying may be this examination,
not a word. not gesture. 1t Ia fol
him. not for me. they search"
At this moment Sangarre. after hav.
Ing looked around for an instant, placed
her hand upon the shoulder Of the old
Siberian.
"What DO you wish from me?" said
Maria Strogoff.
Come" answered Eangarre.
And. pushing her with her hand. she
led her into the middle Of the reserved
space before Ivan ogareff.
Michael Strogeff kept his eyelashes
half closed In order that the brightness
Of his eyes should not betray him.
Marta Strogoff. having come In front
of Ivan ogareI, straightened her psf
son, crossed her arms and waited.
"Are you indeed Maria StrogoffT de-
manded Ivan Ogareff.
"Yes," answered the old Siberian
with calmness.
"Have you changed your mind az re
CARDS the statement you made to me
when. three days ago. l interregated
you at OmskT
NO"
$50 you are ignorant Of the fact thai
your son. Michael Strogof, courier Of
the car, has passed through Omskf
81 am ignorant OF It"
"And that the man that you believed
to have recognized as your son at tht
posthouse was not he-was not youl
sonY'
"He was not my son."
"And have you not seen him since
among the prisonersT
mo"
"And II he were shown to you would
you recognize him?"
"No."
At this answer. which showed an IN
flexible determination to av0w nothing
q murmur of appreciation arose from
the crowd.
Ivan Ogareff could not restrain
menacing gesture.
Listen" said be to Maria, Strogof
"Your son Is here, and you 60 at once
to point him out"
mo"
"An these men. taken at Omsk and Al
Kalyvan. are going to defile befort
| your eyes. and II you do not point ou
Michael Strogoff you shall receive Al
many blows of the. knout as there shal
be men who have passed before you."
Ivan Ogareff had now realized that
whatever threats he might utter and Il
whatever tortures he might subject her
| the indomitable Siberian would no
speak. To discover the courier Of TN
car he now counted not upon her, bu
upon Michael Strogo6 himself. BE dc
not believe It possible that when thu
mother and the son should be broueh
into the presence Of each other an IRE
sistible impulse would not betray them
Certainly II he had only wished 4
gain possession Of the imperial lettel
he could simply have given orders To-
all these prisoners to be searched. Blu
Michael Strogon might have destroyed
| this letter after learning its contents
and II he were not recognized and h'
should gain Irkutsk the plans OF 1vaI
Ogaren would be all frustrated Where
fore 1t was not only the letter which b
must have from the traitor; he mus
have the bearer Of 1t.
Nadia at length understood all, ant
she now knew who was Michael Stro
gor and why he had wished to trav
erse. without being known. the invadet
provinces of Siberia.
On the order Of Ivan Ogareff the pris
oners passed one by one before Marfi
Strogor. who remained immovable O.
q statue and whose regard expressed
only the most complete indifference.
Her son was In the last ranks. Whel
in his turn he passed before his moth
er, Nadia shut her eyes In order not Z
see him.
Michael StrogoR had remained ap
parently impossible. but his hands wer
bleeding from the pressure OF, the fet
| ters.
Ivan Ogareff was conquered BY tn
son and the mother.
II A4~>A Alv~~ nvsvv an