IN WARSAW 167

he would prefer me to remain for another two or three years
as lieutenant; in fact, he said as much to me a short time
ago. Still, when Iam fit to command a company, there
is no doubt I shall get it.

“Of course I am sorry you are going, very sorry, Charlie;
but even if you go altogether on to the staff I shall see a
good deal of you, for as the king is always with the army,
this must be your head-quarters still. I wonder how long
you will be away. I like the look of the fellow who is
going with you. It was an honest open sort of face, as far
as I saw it. At any rate, it is a comfort to think that you
won’t be absolutely alone, especially among people whose
language you don’t know. Mind, if you are sending let-
ters to Count Piper, be sure you send a few lines by the
same messenger to let me know how you are going on.
Not long letters, you know; I expect you will have your
hands pretty well full, but just enough to give me an idea
of how you are, and what you are doing.”

The following morning Charlie started. He had said
good-bye to no one except the colonel, Major Jervoise,
and Harry, as it was not considered advisable that his
departure with the envoy for Warsaw should be talked
about. He only joined the party, indeed, after they had
ridden out of the camp. He had laid aside his uniform,
and was dressed in clothes which Major Jervoise had pro-
cured for him from one of the last-joined recruits who had
but just received his uniform. ‘The lieutenant command-
ing the escort of twenty troopers rode up to him as he
joined the party.

“Baron Seckers informs me that he has given permission
to a young Scotchman and his servant travelling to Warsaw
to ride under his protection. Are you the person in
question, sir?”

“Tt is all right, Lieutenant Iberstein,” Charlie said with
asmile. “Don’t you recognize me?”