the gaze of Ogareff, who eyed him as a victim
reserved for vengeance. He stopped at the windows, he looked forth at
the fires in the Tartar camp, he listened to the noise of the ice-blocks
drifting down the Angara.

A quarter of an hour passed without his putting any more questions. Then
taking up the letter, he re-read a passage and said, "You know that in
this letter I am warned of a traitor, of whom I must beware?"

"Yes, your Highness."

"He will try to enter Irkutsk in disguise; gain my confidence, and
betray the town to the Tartars."

"I know all that, your Highness, and I know also that Ivan Ogareff has
sworn to revenge himself personally on the Czar's brother."

"Why?"

"It is said that the officer in question was condemned by the Grand Duke
to a humiliating degradation."

"Yes, I remember. But it is a proof that the villain, who could
afterwards serve against his country and head an invasion of barbarians,
deserved it."

"His Majesty the Czar," said Ogareff, "was particularly anxious that you
should be warned of the criminal projects of Ivan Ogareff against your
person."

"Yes; of that the letter informs me."

"And His Majesty himself spoke to me of it, telling me I was above all
things to beware of the traitor."

"Did you meet with him?"

"Yes, your Highness, after the battle of Krasnoiarsk. If he had only
guessed that I was the bearer of a letter addressed to your Highness, in
which his plans were revealed, I should not have got off so easily."

"No; you would have been lost!" replied the Grand Duke. "And how did you
manage to escape?"

"By throwing myself into the Irtych."

"And how did you enter Irkutsk?"

"Under cover of a sortie, which was made this evening to repulse a
Tartar detachment. I mingled with the defenders of the town, made myself
known, and was immediately conducted before your Highness."

"Good, Michael Strogoff," answered the Grand Duke. "You have shown
courage and zeal in your difficult mission. I will not forget you. Have
you any favor to ask?"

"None; unless it is to be allowed to fight at the side of your
Highness," replied Ogareff.

"So be it, Strogoff. I attach you from to-day to my person, and you
shall be lodged in the palace."

"And if according to his intention, Ivan Ogareff should present himself
to your Highness under a false name?"

"We will unmask him, thanks to you, who know him, and I will make him
die under the knout. Go!"

Ogareff gave a milit