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good deal of influence. Still I think it probable that if
you ever should get into a scrape again you will be able to
get tidings of me, for I am likely to be with the advanced
division of our army wherever it is, as | am in charge of its -
hospitals. You had better turn in now, for I suppose you
will be starting early, and I have two or three patients |
must visit again before I go to bed. ‘This is your room
next to mine, I managed after all to get it changed.”

“That is very good of you, doctor, but it really would not
have mattered a bit for one night. It does look snug and
warm with that great fire.”

“Ves, the stoves are the one thing I don’t like in Russia.
I like to see a blazing fire, and the first thing | do when I
get into fresh quarters is to have the stove opened so that
I can see one. ‘This is a second room of mine. There
were three together, you see, and as my rank is that of a
colonel I was able to get them, and it is handy if a friend
comes to see me to have a room for him.”

An hour later, just as Charlie was dozing off to sleep, the
doctor put his head in to the door. “You are to start at
daybreak, Carstairs. My servant will call you an hour be-
fore that. I shall be up; I must put a fresh bandage on
your head before you start.”

“Thank you very much, doctor; I am sorry to get you
up so early.”

“That is nothing; I am accustomed to work at all hours.
Good-night.”

At eight o’clock, having had a bowl of broth, Charlie
descended to the court-yard in charge of an officer and two
soldiers, the doctor accompanying him. Here he found a
Swedish officer belonging to the king’s personal staff. “he
Russian handed the lad formally over to his charge, saying,
“By the orders of the czar, I now exchange Ensign Car-
stairs for Captain Potoff, whom you on your part engage to
send off at once.”