“I have chosen him for this service for two reasons.  In the first place, because I know he will do it well, and even those who consider that I am rash and headstrong, admit that I have the knack of picking out good men.  In the next place, I want to reward him for the service he has done for us.  I cannot, at his age, make a colonel of him, but I can give him a chance of distinguishing himself in a service in which age does not count for so much, and Count Piper, knowing my wishes in the matter, will push him forward.  Moreover, in such a mission as this, his youth will be an advantage, for he is very much less likely to excite suspicion than if he were an older man.’

“The king’s manner did not admit of argument, and I had only to wait and ask what were his commands.  These were simply that you are to call upon his minister tomorrow, and that you would then receive full instructions.

“The king means well by you, lad, and on turning it over, I think better of the plan than I did before.  I am convinced, at any rate, that you will do credit to the king’s choice.”

“I will do my best, sir,” Charlie said.  “At present, it all seems so vague to me that I can form no idea whatever as to what it will be like.  I am sure that the king’s intentions are, at any rate, kind.  I am glad to hear you say that, on consideration, you think better of the plan.  Then I may mention the matter to Major Jervoise?”

“Certainly, Carstairs, and to his son, but it must go no farther.  I shall put your name in orders, as relieved from duty, and shall mention that you have been despatched on service, which might mean anything.  Come and see me tomorrow, lad, after you have received Count Piper’s instructions.  As the king reminded me, there are many Scotchmen at Warsaw, and it is likely that some of them passed through Sweden on the way to establish themselves there, and I may very well have made their acquaintance at Gottenburg or Stockholm.

“Once established in the house of one of my countrymen, your position would be fairly safe and not altogether unpleasant, and you would be certainly far better off than a Swede would be engaged on this mission.  The Swedes are, of course, regarded by the Poles as enemies, but, as there is no feeling against Englishmen or Scotchmen, you might pass about unnoticed as one of the family of a Scottish trader there, or as his assistant.”

“I don’t fear its being unpleasant in the least, colonel.  Nor do I think anything one way or the other about my safety.  I only fear that I shall not be able to carry out properly the mission intrusted to me.”