CHAPTER VII

EXCHANGED

ATE in the afternoon, Dr. Kelly came in again to the
cell. ‘Come along,” he said; “I have got lave for
you to have supper with me, and have given my pledge that
you won't try to escape till it is over, or make any onslaught
on the garrison, but will behave like a quiet and peaceable
man.”

“You are quite safe in giving the pledge, doctor,”
Charlie laughed.

“Come along then, me boy, for they were just dishing
up when I came to fetch you; it is cold enough outside,
and there is no sinse in putting cold victuals into one in
such weather as this.”

They were not long in reaching a snugly-furnished room,
where a big fire was burning. Another gentleman was
standing with his back to it. He was a man of some seven
or eight-and-twenty, with large features, dark brown hair
falling in natural curls over his ears, and large and power-
ful in build.

“This is my friend, Charlie Carstairs,” the doctor said.
“This, Carstairs, is Peter Michacloff, a better doctor than
most of those who mangle the czar’s soldiers.”

“Things will better in time,” the other said, “when your
pupils begin to take their places in the army.”

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