The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1902-02-01
And how did you enter Irku.sky'

Wei done, Aichael Strogou, 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 or
mer'
"None II It be not that OF fighting by
the side Of your bighness." answered
Ivan Ogaren.
Let II be SO. Michael Strogoff. From
this day | attach you to my person,
and you shall be lodged In this palace"
And II 10 conformity with the inten-
ton which Is attributed to him Ivan
Osaren should present himself before
your highness under q false name"
1--WE woula uamnGk him. thanks to
you who know him. and hy my order
he should die under the knout Co"
Ivan Ogaref gave the military salute
to the grand duke. not forgetting that
he was captain ID the corps or the cou-
riCrs OF the ear. and he withdrew.
Ivan OgareG lad just now played with
success his base role. The grand dukes
confidence had been accorded him fun
and entire lie could abuse Il when
and where be thought proper. He
would even Ike In that palace. He
would know an the secrets Of the de-
fense. He held. therefore, the situation
in his hand No one In Irkutsk knew
HIN. No one could tear OF his mask.
lie resolved. therefore, 70 begin the
work without more delay.
Ivan Ogaren, having every facility
OF seeing, observing and acting. spent
the next day In visiting the fortllca-
tions. Everywhere he was received
with cordial congratulations by the
officers. soldiers aud citizens. This cou-
rier Of the car was like a tie which
bound them TO the empire. Ivan Oga-
ref therefore rccounted TO them al the
details OF his journey. and this with a
Yiyac.ty that was never wanting. Then
adroitly. without ~ FIRST insisting on IL
too much he spoke Of the gravity OF
the situation. exaggerating. as he had
done while addressing the grand duke
both the successes OF the Tartars and
the forces at their disposal TO listen
TO him. the sucCor would be insufficient
should II even come, aud Il was 10 10
feared that battle fought under tie
walls OF lrkutsk would be as disas-
trous as the battles Of Kalyvan. or
Tomsb and Of krasnolarsk
Ivan Ogaren was non az lrsi lavish
Ia these sinister luslnuIt'un Ire took
cnre they should penetrate ~ drgg
into the minds oil Tie GciWdvrs OF IA.
Kutsk lie seemed to answer only when
a great many questions %cre put Go
him and then as though yikh regret
Ia any ease he added always that u
must defend itself to tho last man, and
they must blow II up rather than sur
render itl
IL the defenders Of lrkutsk could
have been discouraged. Ivan Ogapf
had chosen an efficient means. But
the garrison and population Of Irkuisk
were TOO patriotic 10 allow themselves
10 be frightened. OF those soldiers or
thoso citizens shut UP IN Nh Isolated
town nt The fauhost end Of the Asiat.c
world. not one had dreamed OF speak
Ing OF capitulatou The disdain OF
Russia FOR those harbarians was with
out limit In any ease no one for mo-
meut suspected the hateful role which
Ivau Ogaren was playing No one
could have imagined that the pretended
courier OF the ear was nothing else
than q traitor
A circumstance altogether unnatural
was the cause. from his arrival ~ IT.
kutsk. OF there being frequent relations
between Ivan Ogarcff and one OF its
brfvest defenders Wasslli Feodor one
Knows With what anxiety this uuhap
py father was deyourcd If his daugh.
ter. Nadia Fcodor, had left Russia OF
ne date a7ei ad by the last letter he
had received from Ria. whit had be-
come Of har. WINS ahe still trying 10
tfc verse the Invaded uloFnCas. or.
ra,hcr, had sire already been for n long
f'~f prlsonerf Wassll Feodor could
not Gnd any lra ff hs aOgIoW esq
cept when 3 tad Some opportunity ~
lighting ara nst Che Iarlurs, opportu-
mites whc, were 100 sclscn for his
liking. Now. when Wassili Feodor was
Informed OF the unexpected arrival Of
a courier from the czIr he had pre-
rfHtlIANhA AiiNA Atlh tNNfitt fNNlN klNt
him some tidings OF bis laughter lt
was only a very slight uape, but still
be chung 10 t.
Wassili Feodor went to find Ivnn
Ogarcn, who awaited himself or this
opportunity TO have daily relations
with the commandant. Did the rene
gnde think he could turn that clrcum-
stance 10 his own pront2 Did he Judge
all men by himselfg Could he believe
that a Russian, even political exile,
could be so mean as 70 betray his cOun.
try Whatever was the case, Ivan
Ogaren met with skIllfully feigned ca
gerncss all the advances made 10 him
by the father Of Nadia The latter the
very next morning after the arrival Of
the pretended courier. went 20 the pal-
ace OF the governor general There be
Informed Ivan Ogarcff OF The circum-
stances under which his daughter had
to leave European Russia and told him
now what was hts anxiety I'm her re