“If he were insulted he would hold that all the Auerspergs who were now living and all who had lived in the last fifteen hundred years were insulted also.”

“Undoubtedly!” replied Kratzek, with great emphasis.

“I merely wished to know,” said John, gravely, “in order that I may know how to bear myself in case I should meet Prince Karl of Auersperg”—­he had not told that he had met him already—­“and now I’m going to tell you good-by, Leopold.  I think it likely that I shall be sent away on a mission and before I return it is probable that you will be exchanged.”

“Good-by, Mr. Scott.  Don’t forget my promise.  If you should ever fall into our hands please try to communicate with me.”

John returned to his trench.  He had been very thoughtful that day, and he had evolved a plan.  A considerable body of wounded soldiers were to be sent to Chastel, and as they must have a guard he had asked Captain Colton to use his influence with General Vaugirard and have him appointed a member of the guard.

Now he found Captain Colton sitting in his little alcove smoking one of his eternal cigarettes and looking very contented.  He took an especially long puff when he saw John and looked at him quizzically.

“Well, Scott!” he said.

“Well, sir!” said John.

“General Vaugirard thinks your desire to guard wounded, see to their welfare, great credit to you.”

“I thank him, sir, through you.”

“Approve of such zeal myself.”

“I thank you in person.”

“Did not tell him—­French girl, Mademoiselle Julie Lannes, also going to Chastel to attend to wounded.  Handsome girl, wonderfully handsome girl, don’t you think so, Scott?”

“I do, sir,” said John, reddening.

“You and she—­going to Chastel about same time.  Remarkable coincidence, but nothing in it, of course, just coincidence.”

“It’s not a coincidence, sir.  You’ve always been a friend to me.  Captain Colton, and I’m willing to tell you that I’ve sought this mission to Chastel because Mademoiselle Julie Lannes is there, or is going there, and for no other reason whatever.  I’m afraid she’s in danger, and anyway I long for a sight of her face as we long for the sun after a storm.”

Captain Colton, with his cigarette poised between his thumb and forefinger, looked John up and down.

“Good!” he said.  “Frank statement of truth—­I knew already.  Nothing for you to be ashamed of.  If girl beautiful and noble as Mademoiselle Julie Lannes looked at me as she has looked at you I’d break down walls and run gantlets to reach her.  Go, John, boy.  Luck to you in all the things in which you wish luck.”

He held out his hand and John wrung it.  And so, the terse captain himself had a soft heart which he seldom showed!

The convoy started the next morning, John with five soldiers in an armored automobile bringing up the rear.  There were other men on the flank and in front, and a captain commanded.  The day was wintry and gloomy.  Heavy clouds obscured the sky, and the slush was deep in the roads.  A desolate wind moaned through the leafless trees, and afar the cannon grumbled and groaned.