276 A JACOBITE EXILE

whether the promise meant much. But he certainly spoke
as if he thought he might be able to help me, and though
it did not seem likely that I could have such bad luck
twice, I think he meant at the time what he said, and I
should think he was the sort of man who would keep his
word.”

“T will make some inquiries,” the governor said, “and
find out if I can where he is at present. Yes, I should
think that he would be able to assist you if he chose to
interest himself in the matter.”

Ten days later the governor came into Charlie’s room.

“An officer has arrived with an order for your removal,”
he said. “You are to be taken up again to Notteburg.”

“I am very sorry,” Charlie said; “I have been very
comfortable here. You have been very kind to me, and IJ
feel sure the change will not be for the better; besides,
we are nearly into September now, and in that marshy
country round the lake and river the winter will be even
more severe than it is here. ‘The only thing I can think
of is that the Swedes at Vyburg may have taken a Russian
captain prisoner, and that they are going to exchange
us.”

The governor shook his head. “There are no longer any
Swedes at Vyburg, all Ingria is in our hands and the Swedes
have retired into Finland. It may be that it is the work
of your friend. I sent a message to Peter Michaeloff,
should he be found in that neighbourhood, by an officer
who was going there, telling him that you were here, and
that having met him when a prisoner at Plescow you relied
on his good offices. Should the officer have found him
there, and have given him my message, he may probably
have begged the field-marshal to order you to be taken to
the prison there, where he could be near you and visit you
sometimes.”

“Your doctors must have a good deal more influence in