"I would bet that he has quartered us on this Count Preskoff from pure spite.

I wonder what sort of chap he is." After half an hour's walking they approached a large chateau, surrounded by smaller buildings.
"He's a swell evidently," Dick said.

"We ought to have comfortable quarters here." They entered a large courtyard, across one side of which stood the house; and the sergeant, proceeding to the main entrance, rang the bell.

It was opened by a tall man dressed in full Russian costume.
"I have a message for the count from the commandant," the sergeant said.
"The count is absent," the servant answered; "but the countess is in." "I will speak to her." Leaving them standing in the hall, the man ascended a wide staircase, and in a minute or two returned and motioned to the sergeant to follow him.
They ascended the stairs and entered a large and handsome room, in which sat a lady of some forty years old, with three younger ones of from sixteen to twenty years old.
Countess Preskoff was a very handsome woman, and her daughters had inherited her beauty.
The sergeant advanced and handed to her the order.

She glanced at it, and an expression of displeasure passed across her face.
"The commandant's orders shall be obeyed," she said coldly; and the sergeant, saluting, retired.
The countess turned to her daughters.
"The commandant has quartered two prisoners, English officers, upon us," she said.