Page 269 - A Jacobite Exile

Ten days later, the governor came into Charlie's room.

"An officer has arrived, with an order for your removal," he said. "You are
to be taken up again to Notteburg."

"I am very sorry," Charlie said. "I have been very comfortable here. You
have been very kind to me, and I feel sure the change will not be for the

better. Besides, we are nearly into September now, and in that marshy
country round the lake and river, the winter will be even more severe than it

is here. The only thing I can think of is that the Swedes at Vyburg may
have taken a Russian captain prisoner, and that they are going to exchange
us."

The governor shook his head.

"There are no longer any Swedes at Vyburg. All Ingria is in our hands and
the Swedes have retired into Finland. It may be that it is the work of your

friend. I sent a message to Peter Michaeloff, should he be found in that
neighbourhood, by an officer who was going there, telling him that you

were here, and that, having met him when a prisoner at Plescow, you relied
on his good offices. Should the officer have found him there, and have
given him my message, he may probably have begged the field marshal to

order you to be taken to the prison there, where he could be near you, and
visit you sometimes."

"Your doctors must have a good deal more influence in your army than
they have among the Swedes," Charlie remarked, "if that is how it has

come about."

"It would be a matter of favour," the governor said. "If Michaeloff is
acquainted with the field marshal, or had attended him when unwell, he
could ask a little favour of that sort. If the field marshal sent you here, he

could send for you again without more trouble than signing his name to the
order."