The Weiser signal. [volume] (Weiser, Idaho) 1890-1904, 1902-06-14
BY Jules Verne
(CoNCLUDED)


} goff had fortunately put his foot on
ground at the quay, and he had Nadia
| still safe with him.
| Michael Strogoff was touching at last
, his goal. He was at Irkutsk. ITO the
palace of the governors" said he to Ma
dia. In less than ten minutes after
ward both arrived at the entrance to
that palace. the massive stone walls of
which were being licked by the long
flames from the Angara, without how
ever, their being able to set the struc-
ture on fire. Beyond, the houses on the
bank were all in flames
Michael Strogoff and Nadia entered
without difficulty into that palace,
which was open for all. In the midst
Of the general confusion no one noticed
them, although their clothes were drip
ping wet. A crowd of officers came for
orders, and soldiers running to execute
them blocked up the grand SALON on
the ground floor.
There Michael Strogoff and the young
girl, in the midst of so great a crowd,
found themselves separated from each
other. Nadia, distracted, ran along the
lower rooms, called her campanion and
asked to be led before the grand duke.
A door leading into a room that was
! inundated with light opened itself be-
fore her. she entered, and she found
herself Unexpectedly face to face with
him whom she had seen at Ichim,
whom she had seen at Tomsk, in the
presence of that man whose cursed
hand an instant later would have deliv-
cred up the city.
Ivan Ogareffr cried she.
On hearing his name pronounced the
miserable wretch trembled. His true
name being once known, all his plans
| would be ruined. He had only one
thing to do-to kill the being, whoever
1t might be. who had just pronounced
1t. Ivan Ogareff threw himself on Ma
dia, but the young girl, with a knife in
her hand, placed her back to the wall,
resolved to defend herself
Ivan Ogareff" cried again Nadia,
knowing well that detested name would
bring succor to her.
"Ah, you shall be silenty' said the
traitor
Ivan Ogareff" cried third time the
intrepid young girl In a voice whose
hate had increased tenfold the force.
Drunk with fury, Ivan Ogareff drew
dagger from his belt rushed upon
Nadia and forced her back into a cor
ner of the room. 1t was all over with
her when the wretch, suddenly knock
ed down by a tremendous blow, rolled
to the ground.
"Michaelr cried Nadia.
1t was Michael Strogoff. Michael
Strogoff had heard the appeal of Nadia.
lodi hxr hon. al 10 H. 4.
the room of Ivan Ogareff, and he had
entered by the door which had been
left open.
Fear nothing, Nadia" he said as he
placed himself between her and Ivan |
Ogareff.
"Ah." screamed the young girl, take |
care, brother! The traitor is armedi |
He can see welIr
Ivan Ogareff had risen, and, believ-
Ing that he had the advantage over a
blind man, he threw himself upon Mi
chael Strogoff. But with one hand Mi
chael seized the arm of him who could |
see well and with the other, turning
aside his weapon. he threw him a Sec
ond time to the ground.
Ivan Ogareff, pale with fury and |
shame, remembered that he was carry
Ing sword He drew it from the
scabbard and returned to the combat.
He had also recognized Michael Stro-
goff. blind mani He had only, In
short. to deal with a blind man.
Nadia, terrified at the danger which
threatened her companion in such an
unequal struggle. ran to the door, call.
ing help
sfSbut fbot door Nadia co;d |
Strogofr. do not call any one, and let
me do 1t The courier of the car has
nothing to fear today from this wretch.
Let him come at me II he dare. / am
waiting for him."
Meanwhile Ivan Ogareff, gathering
himself together as it were, like a IT,
ger did not utter word. The noise
Of his step. his very breathing, he
would have wished to keep back from
the ear of the blind man. He WISHED
to strike him before even he had any
warning of his approach. to strike him
with a certain blow. The traitor did
not dream of fighting, but Of assas-
sinating him whose name he had sto-
len.
Nadia, frightened, yet at the same
time confident, contemplated with a
sort Of admiration that terrible scene
1t seemed that the old GOODNESS had !
come back to him.
Michael Strogoff had as his only
weapon his Siberian knife. and lie could
not see his adversary, who was even
armed with sword. But by what
favor from heaven was he able to over
power him?
Ivan Ogareff glanced at his adversary {
with visible anxiety. That superhu-
man calmness worked upon him. In
vain, appealing to his reason, he kept !
saying that In the inequality of such a I
combat all the advantage was In his I
favor. That immovableness of the I