To discover the courier
of the Czar, he counted, then, not on her, but on Michael himself.
He did not believe it possible that, when mother and son were in each
other's presence, some involuntary movement would not betray him.
Of course, had he wished to seize the imperial letter,
he would simply have given orders to search all the prisoners;
but Michael might have destroyed the letter, having learnt
its contents; and if he were not recognized, if he were to
reach Irkutsk, all Ivan Ogareff's plans would be baffled.
It was thus not only the letter which the traitor must have,
but the bearer himself.
Nadia had heard all, and she now knew who was Michael Strogoff,
and why he had wished to cross, without being recognized,
the invaded provinces of Siberia.
On an order from Ivan Ogareff the prisoners defiled, one by one,
past Marfa, who remained immovable as a statue, and whose face
expressed only perfect indifference.
Her son was among the last. When in his turn he passed before
his mother, Nadia shut her eyes that she might not see him.
Michael was to all appearance unmoved, but the palm of his hand
bled under his nails, which were pressed into them.
Ivan Ogareff was baffled by mother and son.
Sangarre, close to him, said one word, "The knout!"
"Yes," cried Ogareff, who could no longer restrain himself;
"the knout for this wretched old woman--the knout to the death!"
A Tartar soldier bearing this terrible instrument of torture
approached Marfa.
Pages:
218
219
220
221
222
223
224
225
226
227
228
229
230
231
232
233
234
235
236
237
238
239
240
241
242