The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1902-01-18

would have done so had not third col
umn unexpectedly made Its appear
ance. having come from the southern
provinces of the Yenisei. Like Michael
Strogoff, they were cut or before hav-
Ing even reached the Dinlsa. Hence
they were again compelled to 60 down
AS far as Lake Baikal.
When they arrived at Llvenitchnaia,
the port was already deserted On any
other side Il was impossible for them
TO enter Irkutsk. which was invested
by the Tartar armies.
They had been there for three days,
and very much embarrassed. when the
raft arrived
The design OF the fugitives was com
municated to them. There was GER
tainly some chance Of their being able
20 pass during the night and penetrate
into Irkutsk. They therefore resolved
10 make the attempt
Alcide Jolivet ut once placed himself
In communication with the old mariner
and asked passage for his companion
and himself. offering To pay the fare he
fixed. whatever II might be.
Here one does not pay anything"
gravely answered the old mariner
zone risks his life; that Is ALL
The two journalists embarked, and
Nadia saw them take Their place In the
fore part OF the raft.
Harry Blonnt was always the cold
Englshman who had scarcely address
ed a word to her during the whole jour
ney across the Ural mountains. Alcide
Jolivet seemed little more grave than
usual, and one would acknowledge that
his gravity was justified by that OF the
circumstances
Alcide Jolivet was then installed on
the fore part OF the raft. when he felt
a hand rest on his arm. He turned
round and recognized Nadia, the sister
of him who was no longer Nicholas
Korpanoff, but Michael Strogoff. cou-
rier of the car. A cry of surprise was
about to escape him when he saw the
young girl place her finger on her lips.
Come" said Nadia TO him.
And. assuming an air of indifference,
Alcide Jollvet, making sign to Harry
Biornt TO accompany him, followed her.
But If the surprise of the journalists
was great at meeting Nadia on that
raft Il was without limits when they
perceived Michael Strogoff. whom they
could not believe To be still alive. Mi
chael Strogoff had not moved nj their
approach.
Alcide Jolvet had turned himself to-
ward the young girl
Gentlemen. he does not see your
said the young girl. "1he Tartars have
burned out his eyes! My poor brother
Is blind!"
A deep feeling OF pity was pictured
on the face of AIcide Joliyet and his
companion.
An instant afterward both of them,
seated near Michael Strogcm,
shook his hands and waited for him TO
speak.
Gentlemen" said Michael StrogofI
In a low voice you must not know
who | am nor what ! came 10 do In 81
IBERIA. | beg you 10 respect my secret
DO you promise mey
"On my honor" answered Alcide JOLT
vet.
ION my faith ms a gentleman" added
Harry Blount.
VERY well, gentlemen"
"Can we be of any use TO your" ask
ed Harry Blount Would you wish
US TO help you to accomplish your
task?'
Il prefer to act alone" said Michael
Strogof.
but those scoundrels have burned
out your sight" said Alcide Jollvet.
II have Nadia, and her eyes suffice
Half nm hour later the raft, after
having left the little port Of Livenitch
naia, was fairly In the river. IT was 3
o'clock in the evening. Night was fast
coming on. 1t would be very dark and
very cold also. for the temperature was
already below zero.
Alcide Jolivet and Harry Blount, al
though tLey had promised Michael
Strogoir To keep his secret, yet did not
leave his side. They spoke ia a low
voice. aud the blind man, putting what
he already knew to what they now told
him. wascnabled TO form an exact idea
of the state Of affairs.
He was certain that the Turtars were
actually investing Irkutsk and that the
three columns had already formed q
Junction. One could not therefore doubt
chat the emir and Ivan Ogareff were
before the capital
But why that haste 10 arrive there
OF the courier OF the ear. now that the
emperor's letter could no longer be re-
milted 10y him TO The grand duke, and
he did not even know It's contents? Al
eide Jolivct and Harry Blount could
no more understand than could Nadia.
Besides, they had not spoken OF the
past up to the moment when Alcidc
Joliyet thought II his duty to say to
Michael Suogoff: v
1--WE almost owe you some excuses
for not having shaken hands with you
before our separation at the postbousc
OF Ichim."
NO; you had a right to believe me a
coward"