Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1901-12-04
CHAPTER XII.

nMNE1Mv diers sprang at once to
Ivan Ogareff, after hav-
ing Quilted ZabedeIro, arrived, accom-.
panied by a numerous staff OF Tartar
officers. His face was more serious
than usual, and his contracted outlines
indicated great anger, which was only
waiting for some object on which to
hurl itself.
Michael Strogoff, lost in group OF
prisoners, saw this man pass by. He
had a presentiment that great calam'
ity was about to happen. for Ivan Oga'
ref now knew that Maria Strogoff was
the mother Of Michael Strogoff. captain
in the corps Of the couriers Of the czar.
Ivan Ogareff arrived at the center OF
the camp, dismounted from his horse,
and the horsemen Of his escort formed
q large circle around him.
At that moment Sangarre approach
ell and said:
Il have nothing new Of which to in
fern you. Ivan."
Ivan Ogareff answered only In giving
a short command to one of his officers.
Immediately the ranks Of the prisoners
were traversed in brutal manner by
the soldiers. These unfortunate ones,
urged on with blows and pushed with
the wood Of the lances, quickly arrang-
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 ut q sign from Ivan Ogaref San.
garre directed her steps toward the
group in the middle Of which was Mar.
ia Strogof.
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 a low voice:
"You do not know me any longer, my
daughter Whatever happens and how.
ever trying may be this examination,
not word. not gesture. 1t Is for
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 Sangarre.
And. pushing her with her hand, she
led her into the middle Of the reserved
space before Ivan Ogareff.
Michael Strogoff kept his eyelashes
half closed in order that the brightness
of his eyes should not betray him.
Maria Strogoff. having come in front
of Ivan Ogarefr. Strengthened her per-
son, crossed her arms and waited.
"Are you indeed Maria Strogoff" de-
manded Ivan Ogareff.
"Yes," answered the old Siberian,
with calmness.
Have you changed your mind as re-
CARDS the statement you made to me
when, three days ago. l interrogated
you at Omskp'
mo"
$50 you are ignorant Of the fact that
your son, Michael Strogoff, courier of
the car, has passed through Omsk"
81 am ignorant Of it."
"And that the man that you believed
to have recognized as your son at the
posthouse was not he-was not your
son"
"He was not my son."
"And have you not seen him since
among the prisoners"
"Non1A
"Antslne were shown to you would
you recognize him"
mo"
At this answer, which showed an in
flexible determination to avow nothing.
a murmur Of appreciation arose from
the crowd.
Ivan Ogareff could not restrain a
menacing gesture.
Listen" said he to Maria Strogoff.
"Your son is here, and you 60 at once
to point him out"
NO"
"All these men, taken at OmSk and at
Kalyvan. are going to defile before
your eyes, and If you do not point out
Michael Strogoff you shall receive as
many blows of the knout as there shall
be men who have passed before you"
Ivan Ogareff had now realized that,
whatever threats he might utter and to
whatever tortures lie might subject her,
the indomitable Siberian would not
speak. To discover the courier Of the
czar he now counted not upon her, but
upon Michael Strogoff himself. He did
not believe 1t possible that when the
mother and the son should be brought
into the presence Of each other an irre-
sistible impulse would not betray them.
Certainly If he had only wished to
gain possession of the imperial letter
he could simply have given orders for
all these prisoners to be searched. But
Michael Strogof might have destroyed
this letter after learning its contents,
and if he were not recognized and he
should gain Irkutsk the plans of Ivan
Ogareff would be all frustrated. Where
fore it was not only the letter which he
must have from the traitor; he must
have the bearer Of It,.
Nadia at length understood all. and
she now knew who was Michael Stro-
goff and why he had wished TO tray
erSe. without being known, the invaded
provinces of Siberia.
On the order Of Ivan Ogarefr the pris'
oners passed one by one before Marta
Strogoff. who remained immovable aS
a statue and whose regard expressed
only the most complete Indifference.