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long pistols； and； as they executed dances； they made the air
re…echo with the sudden detonations of their firearms；
which immediately set going the rumbling of the tambourines；
and grumblings of the daires； and the gnashing of doutares。
Their arms； covered with a colored powder of some metallic ingredient；
after the Chinese fashion； threw long jetsred； green； and blue
so that the groups of dancers seemed to be in the midst of fireworks。
In some respects； this performance recalled the military dance
of the ancients； in the midst of naked swords； but this Tartar dance
was rendered yet more fantastic by the colored fire； which wound；
serpent…like； above the dancers； whose dresses seemed to be embroidered
with fiery hems。 It was like a kaleidoscope of sparks； whose infinite
combinations varied at each movement of the dancers。
Though it may be thought that a Parisian reporter would be perfectly
hardened to any scenic effect； which our modern ideas have carried so far；
yet Alcide Jolivet could not restrain a slight movement of the head；
which at home； between the Boulevard Montmartre and La Madeleine would
have said〃Very fair； very fair。〃
Then； suddenly； at a signal； all the lights of the fantasia
were extinguished； the dances ceased； and the performers disappeared。
The ceremony was over； and the torches alone lighted up the plateau；
which a few instants before had been so brilliantly illuminated。
On a sign from the Emir； Michael was led into the middle of the square。
〃Blount；〃 said Alcide to his companion； 〃are you going to see
the end of all this？〃
〃No； that I am not；〃 replied Blount。
〃The readers of the Daily Telegraph are； I hope； not very eager
for the details of an execution a la mode Tartare？〃
〃No more than your cousin！〃
〃Poor fellow！〃 added Alcide； as he watched Michael。 〃That valiant
soldier should have fallen on the field of battle！〃
〃Can we do nothing to save him？〃 said Blount。
〃Nothing！〃
The reporters recalled Michael's generous conduct towards them；
they knew now through what trials he must have passed；
ever obedient to his duty； and in the midst of these Tartars；
to whom pity is unknown； they could do nothing for him。
Having little desire to be present at the torture reserved
for the unfortunate man； they returned to the town。
An hour later； they were on the road to Irkutsk； for it was among
the Russians that they intended to follow what Alcide called；
by anticipation； 〃the campaign of revenge。〃
Meantime； Michael was standing ready； his eyes returning the Emir's
haughty glance； while his countenance assumed an expression of intense
scorn whenever he cast his looks on Ivan Ogareff。 He was prepared to die；
yet not a single sign of weakness escaped him。
The spectators； waiting around the square； as well as Feofar…Khan's
body…guard； to whom this execution was only one of the attractions；
were eagerly expecting it。 Then； their curiosity satisfied；
they would rush off to enjoy the pleasures of intoxication。
The Emir made a sign。 Michael was thrust forward by his
guards to the foot of the terrace； and Feofar said to him；
〃You came to see our goings out and comings in； Russian spy。
You have seen for the last time。 In an instant your eyes
will be forever shut to the day。〃
Michael's fate was to be not death； but blindness；
loss of sight； more terrible perhaps than loss of life。
The unhappy man was condemned to be blinded。
However； on hearing the Emir's sentence Michael's heart did not
grow faint。 He remained unmoved； his eyes wide open； as though
he wished to concentrate his whole life into one last look。
To entreat pity from these savage men would be useless； besides；
it would be unworthy of him。 He did not even think of it。
His thoughts were condensed on his mission； which had apparently
so completely failed； on his mother； on Nadia； whom he should never
more see！ But he let no sign appear of the emotion he felt。
Then； a feeling of vengeance to be accomplished came over him。
〃Ivan；〃 said he； in a stern voice； 〃Ivan the Traitor； the last
menace of my eyes shall be for you！〃
Ivan Ogareff shrugged his shoulders。
But Michael was not to be looking at Ivan when his eyes were put out。
Marfa Strogoff stood before him。
〃My mother！〃 cried he。 〃Yes！ yes！ my last glance shall be
for you； and not for this wretch！ Stay there； before me！
Now I see once more your well…beloved face！ Now shall my eyes
close as they rest upon it 。 。 。 ！〃
The old woman； without uttering a word； advanced。
〃Take that woman away！〃 said Ivan。
Two soldiers were about to seize her； but she stepped back and remained
standing a few paces from Michael。
The executioner appeared。 This time； he held his saber
bare in his hand； and this saber he had just drawn from
the chafing…dish； where he had brought it to a white heat。
Michael was going to be blinded in the Tartar fashion；
with a hot blade passed before his eyes！
Michael did not attempt to resist。 Nothing existed before
his eyes but his mother； whom his eyes seemed to devour。
All his life was in that last look。
Marfa Strogoff； her eyes open wide； her arms extended towards
where he stood； was gazing at him。 The incandescent blade passed
before Michael's eyes。
A despairing cry was heard。 His aged mother fell senseless
to the ground。 Michael Strogoff was blind。
His orders executed； the Emir retired with his train。
There remained in the square only Ivan Ogareff and the torch bearers。
Did the wretch intend to insult his victim yet further；
and yet to give him a parting blow？
Ivan Ogareff slowly approached Michael； who； feeling him coming；
drew himself up。 Ivan drew from his pocket the Imperial letter；
he opened it； and with supreme irony he held it up before
the sightless eyes of the Czar's courier； saying； 〃Read； now；
Michael Strogoff； read； and go and repeat at Irkutsk what you have read。
The true Courier of the Czar is Ivan Ogareff。〃
This said； the traitor thrust the letter into his breast。
Then； without looking round he left the square； followed
by the torch…bearers。
Michael was left alone； at a few paces from his mother； lying lifeless；
perhaps dead。 He heard in the distance cries and songs； the varied
noises of a wild debauch。 Tomsk； illuminated； glittered and gleamed。
Michael listened。 The square was silent and deserted。 He went；
groping his way； towards the place where his mother had fallen。
He found her with his hand； he bent over her； he put his face
close to hers； he listened for the beating of her heart。
Then he murmured a few words。
Did Marfa still live； and did she hear her son's words？
Whether she did so or not； she made not the slightest movement。
Michael kissed her forehead and her white locks。 He then
raised himself； and； groping with his foot； trying to stretch
out his hand to guide himself； he walked by degrees to the edge
of the square。
Suddenly Nadia appeared。 She walked straight to her companion。
A knife in her hand cut the cords which bound Michael's arms。
The blind man knew not who had freed him； for Nadia had not
spoken a word。
But this done： 〃Brother！〃 said she。
〃Nadia！〃 murmured Micha