“But go on with your story.”

He listened without remark, until Charlie concluded.

“I wish you had been in our service,” he said, “instead of that of Sweden.  You would have mounted fast.  You have all the requisites for success, above all, promptitude of decision and quickness of invention.  You did well in getting away from that Jewish scoundrel in the hut, and in killing his master, but it was your adventure with the wolves that showed your quality.  That idea of setting fire to the tree in which you were sitting, in order at once to warm yourself and to frighten away the wolves, would never have occurred to a Russian, and the quickness with which you formed, with three logs, a redoubt against the wolves, showed a quick military eye, and the ability to think and act in a moment of danger.

“Now tell me how it was that you were the only officer captured the other day.”

Charlie briefly related how he, with the pikemen of his company, had stayed behind to check the pursuit of the Russian horse, and to gain time for the main body to lose themselves in the darkness.  The Russian struck his fist on the arm of his chair.

“It was well done,” he said.  “There is the difference.  A Russian captain would have done it, if he had been ordered, and he and his men would, without a question, have sacrificed themselves to cover the retreat of the rest, but he would never have done it on his own initiative.  The idea would never have struck him.  He would have plodded along until the enemy’s cavalry came up and annihilated them all.  By the way, why did you not ask for me at once?”

“I had asked for Doctor Kelly the day after I was taken prisoner, and was told that he had gone to the Volga.  I thought that he would be back before long, and it was only when I heard of his death that it occurred to me to endeavour to find one who had kindly promised, after a few hours’ acquaintance only, to befriend me should I ever find myself in a similar scrape.”

“It would have saved you the journey down to Moscow.  I heard, of course, that a Swedish captain had been made prisoner that night, but I was myself at Moscow at the time, and did not happen to notice the name of the officer taken.  Were you well treated at Bercov?”

“The governor there was most kind, and all the arrangements of the prison seem excellent.  I had no reason whatever to complain.  The governor was good enough to come frequently himself to talk to me.  He is a fine soldierly man, and though he did not say much, I think he is eating his heart out at being laid on the shelf there, instead of aiding to fight the battles of his country.”

The Russian took out a pocketbook and made a note, then he rose.

“It is time for bed,” he said.  “I am up at daybreak.”

“I hope I shall see you often in the prison,” Charlie said.  “I suppose I shall go in there tomorrow morning.  I am indebted to you, indeed, for the very great kindness you have shown me.”