“Michael Strogoff!” cried he.
“Himself!” said Michael, and raising the knout, he struck Ogareff a blow across the face.
“Blow for blow!” said he.
Twenty soldiers threw themselves on Michael and in another instant he would have been slain, but Ogareff stopped them.
“This man is reserved for the Emir’s judgment. Search him.”
The letter bearing the imperial arms was found in Michael’s bosom; he had not time to destroy it. It was handed to Ogareff. Michael was then led before the Emir.
“Your forehead to the ground!” exclaimed Ogareff.
“No!”
Two soldiers tried to make him bend, but were themselves laid on the ground by a blow from Michael’s fist.