l not think it ungrateful for me to quit you so suddenly,
Ladislas," he said in a low voice.

"Assuredly not. You have done us a service, indeed, in thus
enabling us to obtain favour with the count. He is one of our
richest and most powerful nobles, and our fortunes are as good as
made."

"I will introduce you to him personally," Charlie said.

"This, count, is the leader of the party. He has shown me very
great kindness, and has proved a true friend. From what I have seen
of him, I have no doubt whatever that, in spite of certain acts of
lawlessness to which he and his friends have been driven of late,
you will find him, in any position you may be good enough to give
him, an honest and thoroughly trustworthy man."

"I will bear it in mind," the count said. "Now, the sooner we are
off, the better. How far is it to the next village?"

"About seven miles, count."

The count gave orders for the sledge to be taken on to the road
again.

"One moment," the captain said, taking Charlie aside. "Pray tell
us, in a few words, what has happened. The burning of the tree is a
mystery to us, and we shall die of curiosity if we have to remain
here for another two months with the matter unexplained."

In as few words as possible, Charlie related to the men the story
of the preceding night, which was greeted with exclamations of
surprise and admiration.

"Truly, you have your wits about you," the captain said. "I should
have been frozen to death, if I had been in your position, for I
should certainly never have thought of lighting a fire up in a
tree.

"Well, goodbye, if we do not see you again, may all good fortune
attend you, and may the saints protect you from all danger."

Charlie shook hands with the men all round, and then hurried down
to the sledge. The coachman was already in the front seat, the
countess and her child had taken their places, and the two armed
servants and Stanislas were standing behind, in readiness to jump
on to a board fastened above the runners.

"I must apologize for keeping you waiting, countess," Charlie said
as he ran up. "I had to explain to my friends, in a few words, how
this had all come about."

"We are also longing to know," the count said. "But I have not yet
introduced you to my wife, nor have I learned the name of the
gentleman to whom I owe so much."

"Ah, sir," the young countess said, holding out her hand after
Charlie had given his name, "what do we not owe you? I shall ne