The Weiser signal. [volume] (Weiser, Idaho) 1890-1904, 1902-04-05
"You are going to Irkutsk?"

"You are going to IrkutskY
| eyes"
"By what routeY
"By Perm"
"Goodw replied the inspector. "Take
care to have your permit vised at the
police station of Mini Novgorod." The
young girl bent her head in token Of
assent.
Hearing the questions and replies,
Michael Strogoff experienced min
gled sentiment both Of surprise and
pity. What. this young girl alone jour-
neying to that faroff Siberia and at a
time when to its ordinary dangers were
added all the perils of an invaded coun-
try and one In a state of insurrectiOn?
How would she reach it? What would
become of her?
The inspection ended, the doors Of
the carriages were opened, but before
Michael Strogoff could move toward
her the young Livonian. who had been
the first to descend, had disappeared in
the crowd which thronged the plat
forms Of the railway station.
Mini Novgorod. Lower Novgorod, sit
uated at the junction of the Volga and
the Okla, is the chief town in the dis
trict of the same name. 1t was here
that Michael Strogoff was obliged to
leave the railway which at the time
did not go beyond this town. Thus as
he advanced his travelling would be-
come first less speedy and then less
safe.
/ Mini Novgorod, the fixed population
Of which Is only from 10000 to $4,000
inhabitants, contained at Il at time
more than 300,000-that Is to say, the
population was increased tenfold. This
addition was in consequence of the Gel
ebrated fair which was held within
the walls for three weeks. Formerly
Malariew haG the benefit of this con-
course of traders, but since 1917 the
fair had been removed to Mini Novgo-
rod.
The town, dreary enough at most
times, then presented truly animated
scene. Six different races of merchants,
European and Asiatic, were fraterniz-
ing under the congenial influence of
trade.
Michael Strogoff strolled through the
town quietly, looking out for some inn.
He was looking for supper rather than
bed, but he found both at the sign
Of the City Of Constantinople.
His supper finished, Michael Strogoff
instead of going up to his bedroom
again strolled out into the town.
Why did not Michael Strogoff go
quietly to bed, as would have seemed
more seasonable after long railway
journey? Was he thinking of the
young Livonian girl who had for so
many hours been his travelling compan-
ion? Having nothing better to do, he
was thinking Of her.
"Alone," he said to himself; "alone in
the midst of these wandering tribes!
And yet the present dangers are moth
ing to those she must undergo. Sibe-
ria! Irkutsk! I am about to dare all
risks for Russia, for the car, while
she Is about to do so for whom? For
what? She is authorized to cross the
frontier! And the country beyond is
in revolt! The steppes beyond are full
of Tartar bands!"
Michael Strogoff stopped for an in
slant and reflected.
without doubt" thought he, "she
must have determined on undertaking
her journey before the invasion. Per-
haps she is even now ignorant of what
Is happening. But, no; that cannot be,
for the merchants discussed before her
the disturbances in Siberia, and she
did not seem even surprised. She did
not even ask for an explanation. She
must have known it then. and, though
knowing it, she is still resolute. Poor
girl! Her motive for the journey must
be urgent indeed! But, though she may
be brave-and she certainly is sober
strength must fail her, and, to say
nothing Of dangers and obstacles, she
will be unable to endure the fatigue Of
such a journey. Never can she pass
Irkutskp'
Srogoff wandered on as chance led
him; but being well acquainted with
the town, he knew that he could with
out difficulty retrace his steps.
Having strolled on for about an hour,
he seated himself on bench against
the wall Of a large wooden cottage
which stood. with others, on a vast
open space.
He had scarcely been there five min
utes when hand was laid heavily on
his shoulder
What are you doing hereT roughly
demanded large and powerful man
who had approached unperceived.
II am resting" replied Michael Stro-
gofr.
do you mean to stay all night on the
bench" asked the man.
Eyes, If 1 feel inclined to do So" an
swered Michael Strogoff in tone some
what too sharp for the simple merchant
he wished to personate.
Come forward, then, that may see
you," said the man.
! TT Is not necessary" he replied. and
he calmly stepped back ten PAGES or so.
The man seemed, as Michael observ-
ed him well, to have the look Of Bo-
hemian, such as are met at fairs and