Page 163 - A Jacobite Exile

was, he would be delighted to welcome me, and that anyone I asked in
Warsaw would direct me to his shop. I wonder that I did not think of him

before; but that is ten years ago, and it had altogether passed out of my
mind, till I saw his name here. Unless he is greatly changed, you may be

sure of a hearty welcome from Allan Ramsay, for my sake. We need not
trouble about the other names. He will know all about them, and will be
able to put you in the way of getting at them."

This was a great relief to Charlie, who felt that it would be an immense

advantage to have the house of someone, from whom he might expect a
welcome, to go to on his arrival in Warsaw; and he was able, during the
day, to talk over the prospects of the journey, with Harry Jervoise, with a

real sense of interest and excitement in his mission.

In the evening, he again went to the house of the minister. The latter, a
close observer of men, saw at once that the young officer was in much
better spirits than he had been in the morning.

"Have you obtained information respecting any of the persons whose

names I gave you?" he asked.

"Yes, sir. It seems that, most fortunately, the trader named Allan Ramsay is

an old friend of Colonel Jamieson, and the colonel has given me a letter to
him which will, he assures me, procure me a hearty welcome."

"And have you thought anything more of your best plan of action?"

"Yes, sir. It seems to me that I had better dress myself in an attire such as
might be worn by a young Scotchman, journeying through the country to

place himself with a relation established in business. I could ride behind the
royal envoy, as if I had received permission to journey under the protection
of his escort, and could drop behind a few miles from the capital, and make

my way in alone. I could not, of course, inquire for Allan Ramsay in Polish,
but I know enough French to ask for him at any shop having a French name

over it, if I did not happen to light upon one kept by a Scotchman."