130 A JACOBITE EXILE

“T do,” the Swede said; “that is, I engage that he shall
be sent off as soon as he can be fetched from Revel, where
he is now interned, and shall be safely delivered under an
escort; and that if either by death, illness, or escape I
should not be able to hand him over, I will return another
officer of the same rank.”

“‘T have the czar’s commands,” the Russian went on, “to
express his regret that, owing to a mistake on the part of
the officer commanding here, Ensign Carstairs has not
received such worthy treatment as the czar would have
desired for him, but he has given stringent orders that in
future any Swedish officers who may be taken prisoners
shall receive every comfort and hospitality that can be
shown them.”

“Good-bye, Doctor Kelly,” Charlie said as he mounted
his horse, which had been saddled in readiness for him.
“T am greatly obliged to you for your very great kindness
to me, and hope that I may some day have an opportunity
of repaying it.”

“T hope not, Carstairs. I trust that we may meet again,
but hope that I sha’n’t be in the position of a prisoner.
However, strange things have happened already in this war,
and there is no saying how fortune may go. Good-bye,
and a pleasant journey.”

A Russian officer took his place by the side of the Swede,
and an escort of twenty troopers rode behind them as they
trotted out through the gate of the convent.

“Tt was very kind of the king to send for me,” Charlie
said to the Swede, “and I am really sorry that you should
have had so long a ride on my account, Captain Prado-
vich.”

“As to that it is a trifle,” the officer said; “if I had not
been riding here I should be riding with the king else-
where, so that I am none the worse. But in truth I am
glad I came, for yesterday evening I saw the czar himself.