AN OLD ACQUAINTANCE 279

Late in the evening of the third day they arrived at
Notteburg. The building at which the carriage stopped
was of considerable size, it stood in the heart of the town,
and had no outward appearance of a prison. It was appar-
ently at a side entrance at which they stopped. On the
officer knocking at the door, it was opened by two Cossacks,
who, after exchanging a few words in Russian with the
officer, led Charlie along a passage and up a narrow stair-
case, which led into a somewhat spacious corridor. They
opened a door, and he found himself in a comfortable
room. A table laid for dinner with handsome silver and
appointments stood in the middle of the room, which was
carpeted with tartar rugs. One of the Cossacks opened an
inner door, which led into a bed-room snugly furnished.

“Tt must be the doctor after all,” Charlie murmured to
himself in great surprise. “I see now that there was plenty
of time for a letter to come up here and have gone back
again, and I suppose the good fellow has got leave for me
to stay for a night in his quarters before I am handed over
to the prison. Well, for the last three days I have travelled
like a prince, and this is the closing act of it.”

He enjoyed a good wash, then returned to the other room,
and sat down in a comfortable chair to wait for his host.
He was on the point of dozing off when the door opened
and Peter Michaeloff entered. Charlie sprang to his feet.

“Well, Captain Carstairs,” the Russian said, holding out
his hand, “so it seems you had bad luck again. You must
have quite an affection for our prisons.”

“T shall have at least a pleasant remembrance of the
kindness shown to me as a prisoner,” Charlie said; “and I
am sure it is you that I have to thank for my transfer here
and for the pleasant journey I have had. I could not have
travelled more comfortably if I had been a Russian
grandee.”

“Well, I am glad to meet you again,” the doctor said