ernor said, "and that you have
no unpleasant recollection of your stay here."

A minute later, the carriage dashed out through the gate of the
prison. An officer was seated by Charlie's side, two Cossacks
galloping in front, while two others rode behind.

"It was worth making the change, if only for this drive," Charlie
thought cheerfully, as the dust flew up in a cloud before the
horses' hoofs, and he felt a sense of exhilaration from the keen
air that blew in his face.

The journey was performed with great rapidity. One of the Cossacks
galloped ahead, as soon as they arrived at the station where they
changed horses, and had fresh ones in readiness at the next post
house. The Cossacks themselves were changed at every other station,
fresh relays from the men stationed there taking their place.
Excellent meals were served three times a day, and each night a
comfortable bed was provided, at the last post house where they
stopped.

The officer was a pleasant fellow, but he spoke nothing except
Russian, and, although Charlie fancied he understood him to some
extent when he spoke to him in Polish, he shook his head and gave
no answers in that language.

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 apparently 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 staircase, 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 bedroom, snugly
furnished.

"It 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