The Iola register., 1902-02-21


A new e;aSgeraton of Ivan Ogareff
in reckoning the numbers of the Tar
tar army and tending always to the
same end.
"And | must not expect any succor
from the provinces of the west" ask
ed the grand duke.
None, your highness-at least before
the end of winter"
every well. Listen to this, Michael
Strogoff Should no relief come to me,
neither from the west nor the east, and
were there 100000 TartC:s, l would
not give up Irkutsk!
The wicked eye of Ivan Os2ren light
ly blinked. The traitor seemed to say
that the brother of the czar was reck-
oning without treason.
The grand duke, of nervous temper
ament, had great difficulty in preserv-
ing his calmness on learning this dis
astrous news. He walked up and down
the room under the eyes of Ivan Oga-
ref. who covered him as prey re-
served for his vengeance. He stopped
at the windows. He looked out upon
the Tartar fires. lie was trying To
find out the noise, the greater part of
which was caused by the grating Of the
ice on the river.
A quarter of an hour passed without
his putting another question. Then.
again taking up the letter, he read
passage of it and said:
you know, Michael E;rogoff, that
there is question in this letter of
traitor against whom Lave to be on
my guardT
Yes, your highness."
"IIe is to attempt to enter Irkutsl
disguised to win my confidence; then,
at the proper time, to deliver up the
town to the Tartars."
81 know all that, your highness, and
/ also know that Ivan Ogaref has
sworn personal vengeance on the broth
er of the czar."
"WhyT
"They say that that officer had been
condemned by the grand duke to a
most humiliating degradation"
Yes, l remember. But he deserved
1t, that wretch, who was afterward to
serve against his country and to lead
there an invasion of barbariansw
His majesty the czar," answered
Ivan Ogareff, "relied especially on the
fact that you Were aware Of the GRIM
inal projects of Ivan Ogareff against
your person"
Yes: the letter informed me OF It,"
"And his majesty told it to me him
self, while warning me to mistrust that
traitor above all during my journey
across Siberia"
Have you ever met himY
"Yes, your highness, after the battle
of Krasnolarsk. Could he have sus-
pected that l was the bearer of n let
ter addressed to your highness and in
which all his projects were divulged
should not now be standing before
you"
Eyes, you would have been lost" an
swered the grand duke. "And how did
you escape"
"By throwing myself into the Irish"
And how did you enter Irkutsk"
During n sortie that was made this
very night to repel a Tartar detach-
ment joined in with the defenders Of
the town. was able to make myself
known, and they at once conducted me
before your highness"
"WeL done, Michael Strogoff," an
swered the grand duke. you have
shown courage and zeal during this
difficult mission. | shall not forget
you. Have you any favor TO ask OF
me?"
"None If it be not that of fighting by
the side of your highness," answered
Ivan Ogareff.
"Let it be so, Michael Strogoff. From
this day | attach you to my person,
and you shall be lodged in this palace"
"And if in conformity with the inten-
tion which is attributed to him Ivan
Ogareff should present himself before
your highness under false name"-
1--WE would unmask him, thanks to
you who know him, and by my order
he should die under the knout. Co."
Ivan Ogareff gave the military salute
to the grand duke, not forgetting that
he was captain in the corps of the cou-
riers of the czar, and he withdrew.
Ivan Ogareff had just now played with
success his base role. The grand dukes
confidence had been accorded him full
and entire. He could abuse 1t when
and where he thought proper. He
would even live in that palace. He
would know all the secrets of the de-
fense. He held, therefore, the situation
in his hand. No one in Irkutsk knew
him. No one could tear Off his mask.
He resolved, therefore, TO begin the
work without more delay.
Ivan Ogareff, having every facility
of seeing, observing and acting, spent
the next day in visiting the fortitica-
tions. Everywhere he was received
with cordial congratulations by the
officers, soldiers and citizens. This cou-
rier of the czar was like a tie which
bound them to the empire. Ivan Oga-
ref therefore recounted to them all the
details of his journey, and this with a