As for again watching Nadia and Marfa Strogoff, that was equally useless.
It was evident that the two women would keep on their guard, and it
would be impossible to overhear anything of a nature to compromise
the courier of the Czar. The Tsigane's first thought was to tell
Ivan Ogareff. She therefore immediately left the encampment.
A quarter of an hour after, she reached Zabediero, and was shown
into the house occupied by the Emir's lieutenant. Ogareff received
the Tsigane directly.
"What have you to tell me, Sangarre?" he asked.
"Marfa Strogoff's son is in the encampment."
"A prisoner?"
"A prisoner."
"Ah!" exclaimed Ogareff, "I shall know--"
"You will know nothing, Ivan," replied Tsigane; "for you do not
even know him by sight."
"But you know him; you have seen him, Sangarre?"
"I have not seen him; but his mother betrayed herself by a gesture,
which told me everything."
"Are you not mistaken?"
"I am not mistaken."
"You know the importance which I attach to the apprehension
of this courier," said Ivan Ogareff. "If the letter which he has
brought from Moscow reaches Irkutsk, if it is given to the Grand Duke,
the Grand Duke will be on his guard, and I shall not be able
to get at him. I must have that letter at any price.
Now you come to tell me that the bearer of this letter is in my power.
I repeat, Sangarre, are you not mistaken?"
Ogareff spoke with great animation. His emotion showed the extreme
importance he attached to the possession of this letter.
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