"Begin," said Ogareff.
The whip whistled through the air, but, before it fell, a powerful hand stopped the Tartar's arm. Ivan Ogareff had succeeded.
"Michael Strogoff!"
"Ivan Ogareff!" and raising the knout, he struck Ogareff a blow across the face.
"Blow for blow." 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 bound in Michael's bosom; he had not had time to destroy it. It was handed to Ogareff.
"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.