n any way, while it would involve us who knew you in
your danger, and would cause the Jew to be regarded as a man who
had lost his life in endeavouring to unmask a plot against Poland.
Therefore, I think it is extremely fortunate that you are, for the
present, safe in the hands of these brigands, and should certainly
advise you to make no attempt to leave them, until you are
perfectly well and strong.

"I have, as you directed me, hidden a few pieces of gold in your
shoe, and have handed the rest of your money to your man, who is
starting to join you. He will conceal it about him. I have just
heard that a body of troops are starting at once for the forest,
and that orders have been sent to other towns, to send detachments
into it at different points, so it is evident the authorities are
determined to catch you, if possible. If you had killed half a
dozen traders in a smaller way, they would have cared little about
it; but just at present, pressed as the king is by want of money,
he is bound to do everything he can to please the Jewish traders,
as it is upon them that he must rely for loans for the payment of
his troops.

"In this matter, then, he will leave no stone unturned to gratify
them, and I should strongly advise your band to move away from the
neighbourhood, at any rate for a time. They may plunder whole
villages with impunity, but what is regarded as the murder of the
richest citizen of Warsaw, a man mixed up in business and politics
with half the principal nobles of the land, is a different matter
altogether. Do not think of trying to traverse the country until
you are perfectly strong. It will be a dangerous business at the
best, but with your man with you, to bear the brunt of replying to
questions, I have every confidence that you will succeed in making
your way through. As to this, I can give no advice, as there is no
saying as to the point from which you may start, or the directions
in which you may travel.

"Should you, at any time, find yourself in a town in which there
are any of my countrymen established in trade, and you will find
them nearly everywhere, use my name. I think it is pretty generally
known to Scotchmen in Poland. You will see I have inclosed a note
that will be useful to you."

The inclosure contained only a few words:

"I, Allan Ramsay, merchant of Warsaw, do declare the bearer of this
note to be my friend, and beg any countrymen of mine, to whom he
may present himself, to assi