our army--or rather the Saxon army,
for but few Poles were engaged in the battle--was defeated," the
count said, smiling. "Well, sir, it will do you no harm with us,
for personally we are entirely opposed to Augustus of Saxony. But
you have not yet explained how you, an officer in the Swedish
service, came to be here."

"I was sent by King Charles to Warsaw, to ascertain the feeling of
the trading classes there. I had an introduction to a Scottish
merchant, and I passed as a countryman of his, who had come out to
enter his business. One of the objects of my mission was to
endeavour to induce the foreign merchants in Warsaw to do what they
could to promote a feeling in favour of peace with the Swedes, and
the substitution of another king in place of Augustus."

"It is not very clear, Captain Carstairs, how you can be fulfilling
that object by passing your winter with a party of robbers--for I
suppose your disbanded soldiers were little better--in a forest on
the confines of Russia."

Charlie laughed.

"It is rather a long story, count. Perhaps you will kindly tell me
the news about public affairs, first."

"By no means," the count said. "That is a long story, too, and my
wife would much rather hear yours than listen to it. She has not
yet recovered from the events of this morning. But we will wait
until we are at the village. We have left the forest behind us, and
another half hour will take us to Stromoff, where we can get pretty
good accommodation."

The horses, a splendid pair of animals, had, during their passage
through the forest, shown every sign of fear; starting nervously,
swerving, and going in sharp, sudden rushes, and always needing a
constant strain on the reins to keep them from bolting. Once away
from the trees, however, they settled down into a fast trot, and
the seven miles to Stromoff were done in less than half an hour.

No sooner did the landlord of the inn learn the name of his guest,
than he, his wife, and sons bustled about in the greatest haste to
make things comfortable for them. Huge fires were lighted in the
guest rooms, and the common room was cleared of the other
customers, until the chamber should be sufficiently warmed for
occupation; while in the kitchen preparations were made for a meal,
to which, in half an hour from their arrival, the party in the
sledge sat down. When this was over, settles were placed round the
fire, and Charlie then gave a full account of his adventures, f