Morris tribune., 1902-03-29


ever, their being able to set the struc-
ture on fire Beyond, tie houses on the
bank were all in flames
Michael Strogoff and Nadia entered
without difficulty into that palace,
which was open for al. 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 Strogof 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 q 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.
s1van Ogareffp 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
it might be, who had just pronounced
it. Ivan Ogareff threw himself on Ma
dia, but the young girl, with knife in
her hand, placed her back to the wall,
resolved to defend herself.
'sIyan Ogareffp cried again Nadia,
knowing well that detested name would
bring succor to her.
"'Ah, you shall be silentv said the
traitor.
''Ivan Ogareffv' cried third time the
intrepid young girl in a voice whose
hate had increased tenfold the force.
Drunk with fury, Ivan Ogaref drew
dagger from his belt, rushed upon
Nadia and forced her back into a corr
ner of the room. It was all over with
her when the wretch, suddenly knock
ed down by a tremendous blow, rolled
to the ground. ..-
"Michaely' cried Nadia.
Z. 1t was Michael Strogoff. Michael
Strogoff had heard the appeal Of Nadia.
Guided by her voice, he had arrived at
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. -E " .u.,.
! "Ah," screamed the young girl, stake
care, brother! The traitor is armed!
He can see well!'
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 we'll and with the other, turning
aside his weapon, he threw him a Sec
ond time to the ground.
Ivan Ogaref, pale with fury and
shame, remembered that he was carry
ing a sword. He drew it from the
scabbard and returned to the combat.
He had also recognized Michael Stro-
goff. A blind man! 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. Is.
''Shut that door, Nadia" said Michael
Strogoff. 'Do not call any one, and let
me do it. The courier of the car has
nothing to fear today from this wretch.
Let him come at me if he dare. I am
waiting for him.
Meanwhile Ivan Ogareff, gathering
himself together, as it were, like a IL
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. e..
Nadia, frightened, yet at the same
time confident, contemplated with
sort of admiration that terrible scene.
It seemed that the old GOODNESS had
come back to him. -.
Michael Strogoff had as his only
weapon his Siberian knife and he could
not see his adversary, who was even
armed with a sword. But by what
favor from heaven was he able to over
power hfa!
Ivan Ogareff glanced at his adversary
with a 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
combat all the advantage was in his
favor. That immovableness of the
blind man completely froze him. He
had sought with his eyes the place
where he must strike his victim. He
lad found it. Who, then, was prevent
ng him from giving the finishing blow?
At length he made blow and thrust
lis sword full at the breast of Michael ,
Strogof.
An imperceptible movement of the
.nife of the blind man turned the blow