l; and it is probable that the march here is
intended rather to draw Daun away from his Russian allies, than
with any hope of taking Dresden."

"Will you go this afternoon?"

"I think that I ought to, count. If the news has come that
Frederick is marching to besiege Dresden, he cannot be far away;
for it is certain that he will march as fast as he can, and will
himself follow closely on the news. 'Tis plain that Lacy feels
himself unable to oppose him, and must be falling back with all
speed before him. If I were to report myself this evening as
convalescent, I can join him tomorrow, if I find that he is but a
march away."

"I will take you in my carriage, as before," the count said. "I can
get back here before dark."

Two hours later they started, Thirza consoled to some extent by the
assurance that, in all probability, Fergus would be back again in
the course of two or three days. They found that the Austrian
advanced posts had already been withdrawn, and experienced no
difficulty with the Prussians; so that by five o'clock they arrived
at the hospital, the count at once starting on his return journey.

Karl was delighted at seeing his master looking himself again.

"I hardly thought that a month could do so much for you," he said,
"especially as you were mending but slowly, before you went."

"Yes, I was a poor creature then, Karl; and I did not think,
myself, that I should be really fit for work for some time to come;
but at any rate, in such weather as this, I have no fear of
breaking down."

Putting on his uniform, he went to the principal medical officer,
and reported his return and his fitness for duty.

"You have certainly gained strength a great deal faster than I
expected, Colonel Drummond. I don't know that you are fit for any
really hard work, but I suppose that you will be at least a week
before you join the king; and by that time you may be able to do a
fair amount of work."

"I fancy I shall join the king tomorrow, doctor."

"Tomorrow?" the surgeon repeated in surprise.

"Yes, sir. Have you not heard the news? The king is marching with
all speed this way. I do not know what his intention is--to force
Lacy to give battle single handed before Daun can arrive, or to
besiege Dresden--but in the city they believe that they are going
to be besieged."

"This is news indeed," the surgeon said. "The scouts brought in
word this morning that a considerable force was seen, coming along
the road fr