"The fair is to be closed," said one.

"The regiment of Nijni-Novgorod has received the route," declared another.

"They say that the Tartars menace Tomsk!"

"Here is the head of police!" was shouted on every side.
A loud clapping of hands was suddenly raised, which subsided
by degrees, and finally was succeeded by absolute silence.
The head of police arrived in the middle of the central square,
and it was seen by all that he held in his hand a dispatch.

Then, in a loud voice, he read the following announcements:
"By order of the Governor of Nijni-Novgorod.

"1st. All Russian subjects are forbidden to quit the province
upon any pretext whatsoever.

"2nd. All strangers of Asiatic origin are commanded to leave
the province within twenty-four hours."


CHAPTER VI BROTHER AND SISTER

HOWEVER disastrous these measures might be to private interests,
they were, under the circumstances, perfectly justifiable.

"All Russian subjects are forbidden to leave the province;"
if Ivan Ogareff was still in the province, this would at
any rate prevent him, unless with the greatest difficulty,