IN WARSAW 173

“Tt is a regiment entirely of Scotch and Englishmen,”
Charlie said; ‘and he was promoted to take its command
only a short time since.”

“Well, please to sit down and join us,” Mrs. Ramsay
said. ‘It is bad manners indeed to keep you talking while
the meat is getting cold on the table. When you have
finished, it will be time enough to question you.”

While the meal was going on, however, many questions
were asked as to Colonel Jamieson, the regiment, and its
officers.

“As soon as matters are more settled,” the merchant
said, “I will give myself a holiday, and Janet and I will go
and spend a few days with Jock. Many of the names of
the officers are well known to me, and two or three of the
captains were at Glasgow College with Jock and myself. It
will be like old times to have four or five of us talking over
the wild doings we had together.”

The supper over the children were sent off to bed.
Allan Ramsay lita long pipe. A bottle of wine and two
glasses were placed on the table, and Mrs. Ramsay with-
drew to see after domestic matters and prepare a room for
Charlie.

“Now, lad, tell me all about it,’ Allan Ramsay said.
“Jock tells me you are here on a mission which he would
leave it to yourself to explain; but it is no business of
mine, and if you would rather keep it to yourself I will
ask no questions.”

“There is no secret about it as far as you are concerned,
Mr. Ramsay, for it is to you and to other merchants here
that I have come to talk it over;” and he then went fully
into the subject.

The Scotchman sat smoking his pipe in silence for some
minutes after he had concluded. “We do not much
meddle with politics here. We have neither voice nor
part in the making of kings or of laws, and beyond that