"Ah! my faithful Armenian," he exclaimed, "I rejoice to see you return here in safety. What news do you bring me from the enemy's country? Do the barbarians think of attacking us?" "I bring you some news which may please you, noble General, though not much of general importance," replied the seeming Armenian, in very good Russian. "Let me hear it quickly then; for I require some good news to put me in spirits after the disaster of the morning:" said the governor. "And how came you not to give me warning that so large a body of Circassians were on the move?" "I knew not of it myself till the moment I saw the troops engaged," answered the spy. "Well, well, I believe you: but your news now," said the General. "In the first place the barbarians are meditating some exploit--though I yet know not what, but will discover to-morrow--under the guidance of that old rebel Guz Beg, who has just returned from a pilgrimage to Mecca, and has lost no time in inciting his countrymen to fresh outrages against you, their rightful masters. He nearly cut my throat when he heard me trying to persuade old Mahmood, the Prince of Pchad, to send in his allegiance to the Emperor. I was obliged to hold my tongue to save my neck. The Hadji, as he is now called, touched at some place in the north of Turkey, Varna I believe, and there picked up a young Russian, as he seems, though he speaks the Circassian language, and two followers, who act as his squire and page. They at all events are Russian, for I heard them conversing together, and I have my strong suspicions that their master is an officer of the Emperor who has deserted, for I heard him speaking to one of the prisoners, whom he took to-day, as an old acquaintance, calling the man Karl." "It is he!" almost shouted the General. "I guessed it from the moment you spoke of him. May curses rest on the traitor's head! One whom I had adopted as my son! But I will punish him for his vile ingratitude. That knave, who was taken prisoner, or rather deserted, was once in attendance on him, and a slave of mine. Now mark me. I will give a handsome reward to any who delivers them into my power. Are you ready to gain it?" "I would do any thing to please you, General, much more to gain a reward," answered the spy. "But I know not how to manage it." "It must be done," said the Baron. "Entice him near the fort, when he may be taken prisoner, or watch his movements, and perchance he may be found sleeping in the neighbourhood, when I will send a strong body to capture him. But mark me, I must have him brought before me a prisoner, and my orders are not to be disobeyed. Follow what plan you will; I would rather have his head than that of a thousand Circassians." "Your orders shall be obeyed, General," answered the spy. "And I will set my wits to work for the purpose."