Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1903-02-02

ren now knew that Maria StrogoH was
the mother of Michael Strogoff, captain
in the corps OF the couriers of the car.
Ivan Ogareff arrived at the center of
the camp. dismounted from his horse.
and the horsemen of his escort formed
large circle around him.
At that moment Sangarre approach
ed and said:
81 have nothing new of which to in
form you. Ivan"
Ivan Ogareff answered only in giving
a short command to one of his officers.
Immediately the ranks of the prisoners
were traversed in a brutal manner by
the soldiers. These unfortunate ones,
urged on with blows and pushed with
the wood of the lances, quickly arrang.
ed themselves along the outer edge of
the camp. Four lines of infantry and
cavalry drawn up at the back rendered
all escape impossible.
Order for silence was at once given,
and at sign from Ivan Ogareff San
garre directed her steps toward the
group in the middle of which was Mar
IA Strogoff.
The old Siberian saw her coming.
She understood what was about to hap
pen. A disdainful smile played on her
lips. Then, turning to Nadia. she said
to her in a low voice:
you do not know me any longer, my
daughter Whatever happens and how
ever trying may be this examination,
not a word, not a gesture. 1t is for
him, not for me. they search"
At this moment Sangarre, after bay-
ing looked around for an instant, placed
her hand upon the shoulder of the old
Siberian.
"What do you wish from me?" said
Maria Strogoff.
Come" answered Sangarre.
And, pushing her With her hand, she
led her into the middle of the reserved
space before Ivan Ogareff.
Michael Strogoff kept his eyelashes
| half closed in order that the brightness
of his eyes should not betray him.
Maria Strogoff, having come in front
Of Ivan Ogaretf, Strengthened her per-
son, crossed her arms and waited.
care you indeed Maria Strogoff?" de-
manded Ivan Ogareff.
YES" answered the old Siberian,
with calmness.
Have you changed your mind as re-
CARDS the statement you made to me
when, three days ago, l Intercepted
you at OmskY'
/ mo"
$50 you are ignorant of the fact that
Ninban1 CfpnOnff a0J1rior. of
! the czar has passed through Omsk"
81 am ignorant of it."
"And that the man that you believed
! to have recognized as your son at the
pOsthOuse was not he-was not your
SOM"
: He was not my son."
! "And have you not seen him since
among the prisoners"
| NO"
! "And if he were shown to you would
you recognize him?"
mo"
At this answer, which showed an in
flexible determination to avow nothing,
a murmur of appreciation arose from
the crowd.
Ivan Ogareff could not restrain a
menacing gesture.
Listen" said he to Maria Strogoff.
"Your son is here, and you go at once
to point him OUT
mo"
GAIL these men, taken at Omsk and at
Kalyvan, are going to defle before
your eyes, and If you do not point out
Michael Strogoff you shall receive as
many blows of the knout as there shall
be men who have passed before YOU"
Ivan Ogareff had now realized that,
whatever threats he might utter and to
whatever tortures he might subject her,
the indomitable Siberian would not
speak. To discover the courier of the
car he now. counted not upon her, but
upon Michael Strogoff himself. He did
not believe 1t possible that when the
mother and the son should be brought
into the presence of each other an ire
sistible impulse would not betray them
Certainly II he had only wished to
gain possession Of the imperial letter
he could simply have given orders FOL
all these prisoners to be searched. But
Michael StrogoR might have destroyed
this letter after learning its contents
and II he were not recognized and be
should gain Irkutsk the plans Of IvaE
Ogareff would be all frustrated. Where
fore 1t was not only the letter which ht
must have from the traitor: he must
have the bearer Of 1t.
Nadia at length understood all, and
she now knew who was Michael Stro
go6 and why he had wished to trav
erse, without being known, the invaded
provinces Of Siberia.
On the order OF Ivan Ogareff the pris
oners passed one by one before Marfs
Strogofr, who remained immovable a!
. statue and whose regard expressed
, only the most complete Indifference.
Her son was in the last ranks. Whel
, In bis turn he passed before his moth
er, Nadia shut her eyes in order not t.