The Weiser signal. [volume] (Weiser, Idaho) 1890-1904, 1902-04-12
BY Jules Verne

room for thought. All was ia vain.
1t then occurred to him that perhaps
the girl had not heard of the order
though this was improbable enough, for
such a thundercfap could not have
burst without being heard by all. Evil
IDENTIFY interested In knowing the small
est news from Siberia, how could she
be ignorant Of the measures taken by
the ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS which concern
ed her SO directly? But If she was ig-
norant Of it she would come in an hour
to the quay, and there some merciless
agent would brutally refuse her pas.
sage. At any cost he must see her be-
forehand and do what he could to en-
able her to avoid such repulse.
But all his endeavors were in vain,
and he at length almost despaired OF
finding her again.
1t was now II o'clock, and Michael,
though under any other circumstances
1t would have been useless, thought of
presenting his podorojna at the office
of the head of police. The proclama-
ton evidently did not concern him,
for him, bul he wished to make sure
that nothing would hinder his depar-
ture from the town.
Michael then returned to the other
side of the Volga, to the quarter in
which was the Office of the head of po-
lice.
Every one was in q hurry, COR the
means of transport would be much
sought after among this crowd Of ban
ished people, and those who did not set
about 1t soon ran a great risk of not
being able to leave. the town in the
prescribed time, which would expose
them to some brutal treatment from
the governors agents.
Owing to the strength of his elbows
Michael Strogon was able to cross the
court. But to get into the Office and
up to the clerks little window was a
much more difficult business. How
ever, a word into an inspectors ear and
a few judiciously given rubles were
powerful enough to gain him passage
The man, after taking him into the
waiting room, went to call the proper
clerk.
Michael Strogoff would not be long
In making everything right with the
police and being free in his movements.
While waiting he looked about him,
and what did he see? There, fallen
rather than seated on a bench, was a
girl, prey to silent despair. although
her face could scarcely be seen, the
profile alone being visible against the
wall.
Michael Strogoff could not be mistak-
en-. He instantly recognized the young
Livonian.
Not knowing the governors orders,
she had come to the police Office to get
her pass signed. They had refused to
sign it. No doubt she was authorized
to go to Irkutsk, but the order was per-
emptory; 1t annulled all previous au-
were closed TO her. Michael, delighted
at having found her again, approached
the girl.
She looked up for a moment, and her
face frightened on recognizing her trav-
cling companion. She instinctively
rose, and, like drowning man who
clutches at spar, she was about to
ask his help. At that moment the
agent touched Michael on the shoulder
1.-THE head Of police will see you," he
said.
"Goodw returned Michael, and with
out saying a word to her for whom he
had been searching all day, without re-
assuring her by even a gesture which
might compromise either her or him
self, he followed the man through the
crowd.
The young Livonian, seeing the only
being to whom she could look for help
disappear, fell back again on her bench.
Three minutes had not passed before
Michael Strogoff reappeared, accompa-
MED by the agent. In his hand he held
his podorojna. which threw open the
roads to Sibc' FOR him. He again ap-
preached t, Dung Livonian, and,
holding out and, SISTER" said he
She under |. She rose as IL some
sudden insp. IN prevented her from
a moment.
Sister" repeated Michael Strogoff.
Eve are authorized to continue our
journey to Irkutsk- VIII you comer
II will follow you, brother" replied
the girl, putting her hand into that of
Strogoff. and together they left
the police station.
Michael Strogoff and the young Ii
vonian had taken passage on board
the Caucasus. Their embarkation was
made without any difficulty. AS Is
known, the podorojna, drawn up In the
name of Nicholas Korpanoff, authorized
this merchant to be accompanied on his
Journey to Siberia. They appeared,
therefore, to be q brother and sister
travelling under the protection of the
imperial police. Both. seated together
at the stern, gazed at the receding
town 80 disturbed by the governors
order. Michael had as yet said moth
Ing to the girl. He had not even ques-
toned her. He waited until she should
speak to him whenever that was nee
essary. She had been anxious to leave
that town, In which but for the provi-
Dental intervention of this unexpected |
protector she would have remained I'm
pr1soned. She said nothing, but her
looks spoke her thanka