256 A JACOBITE EXILE

Count John, he was attacked by a pack of wolves. I have
been staying with him for some weeks, and his brother has
now had the kindness to accompany me here. He has
thereby made my passage through the country easy, as we
have travelled with fast horses in his sledge, and have always
put up at the chateaux of nobles of his acquaintance. I
have, therefore, avoided all risk of arrest at towns. In the
letter forwarded to you I explained the real circumstances
of the death of the Jew.”

“Yes, we quite understood that, Captain Carstairs. You
had a very narrow escape from death at his hands, and as
the danger was incurred purely in the king’s service, it will
not be forgotten. Up to the time when the Jew organized
the attack upon you in Warsaw, I was well satisfied with
your reports of your work. So far nothing has come of it,
as Augustus has been too strong for any movement against
him, but we hope ere long to defeat him so decisively that
our friends will be able to declare against him. I will
inform the king of your return, and I have no doubt he will
be glad to hear your story from your own lips. He loves
tales of adventure, and time hangs somewhat heavily on
hand, as until the frost breaks nothing can be done in the
field.”

On the following day, indeed, Charlie was sent for to the
royal quarters, and had to recount the story of his adven-
tures in full to the king, who was highly interested in them,
and at the conclusion requested him to introduce Count
John Staroski, in order that he might express to him his
obligation for the service he had rendered to one of his
officers. ‘This done, Charlie drove out with the count to
the village where Colonel Jamieson’s regiment was quar-
tered, and where his return was received with delight by
Harry, and with great pleasure by Major Jervoise and his
tellow-officers. He was obliged to give a short outline of
what he had been doing since he left, but put off going into
details for a future occasion,