THE PASSAGE OF THE DWINA 149

lenders as well as traders. Large numbers of these petty
nobles must be in their debt, either for money lent or
goods supplied. My agent goes specially charged to deal
with the archbishop, who is quite open to sell his services
to me, although he poses as one of the strongest adherents
of the Saxons. With him it is not a question so much of
money as of power. Being a wise man, he sees that Augus-
tus can never retain his position in the face of the enmity
of the great body of the Poles, and of my hostility. But
while my agent deals with him and such nobles as he indi-
cates as being likely to take my part against Augustus, you
could ascertain the feeling of the trading class, and endeav-
our to induce them not only to favour me, but to exert all
the influence they possess on my behalf. As there are
many Scotch merchants in the city, you could begin by
making yourself known to them, taking with you letters of
introduction from your colonel and any other Scotch gen-
tleman whom you may find to have acquaintanceship, if
not with the men themselves, with their families in Scot-
land. I do not, of course, say that the mission will be
without danger, but that will, I know, be an advantage in
your eyes. What do you think of the proposal?”

“T do not know, sire,” Charlie said doubtfully. “TI have
no experience whatever in matters of that kind.”

“This will be a good opportunity for you to serve an
apprenticeship,” the king said decidedly. “There is no
chance of anything being done here for months, and as you
will have no opportunity of using your sword, you cannot
be better employed than in polishing up your wits. I will
speak to Colonel Jamieson about it this evening. Count
Piper will give you full instructions, and will obtain for you
from some of our friends lists of the names of the men who
would be likely to be most useful to us. You will please
to remember that the brain does a great deal more than the
sword in enabling a man to rise above his fellows. You