A few minutes before two o’clock
This signal once given , when the greater part of the defenders of Irkutsk would be summoned to the points openly attacked , his plan was to leave the palace and hurry to the Bolchaia Gate . If it was unguarded , he would open it ; or at least he would direct the overwhelming mass of its assailants against the few defenders . He now crouched in the shadow , like a wild beast ready to spring on its prey . A few minutes before two o'clock , the Grand Duke desired that Michael Strogoff -- which was the only name they could give to Ivan Ogareff -- should be brought to him . An aide-de-camp came to the room , the door of which was closed . He called . Ogareff , motionless near the window , and invisible in the shade did not answer .