Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1902-03-22

VW0HO&d/H CZdFs dFElF0u DIT 1EhuLSh!
If the officers had re-
fected for an instant on the improba-
bility Of that fact, they would have GER
tainly considered it impossible.
The grand duke had quickly moved
toward his aid-de-camp.
'That courierw said he.
A man entered. He had the air of
one worn out by fatigue. He wore the
costume Of 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 had
evidently followed long and trying
route. His shoes and stockings, in a
bad state, even proved that he had
made part of his journey on foot.
ellis highness the grand duke?' said
he on entering.
The grand duke went up to him.
care you a courier from the carp
he asked him.
''Yes, your hfghness."
''You come from
moscow SSisstfsSsss!ti
''You left Moscow sEs
'HThe 18th Of July" s .s3ss5'.
"You are called
ssMichael Strogof."
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 OgareH the
grand duke made a sign, and all his
officers retired.
The fictitious Michael Strogof 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 10Th Of July at
Moscow? ,.
''Yes, your highness, and on the night
from the 14th to the 18th I saw his
majesty the czar at the New palace"
"You have a letter from the carp
"Here it 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 I was com
PEELED 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"
eyes, your highness, during a few
days. answered Ivan Ogaref. 1T Isl
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 q 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 mistrust, 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 it.
Taking up again the speech. he ask
ed:
.Michael Strogoff, do you know the
contents of this letter.
Eyes, your highness. / 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 it's contents to your
highness."
EDO you know that this letter enjoins
us to die at Irkutsk rather than sur
render the city,"
II know it.
'sDo you also know that it points out
the movements Of the troops who have
combined to check thesinvasion n
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