Truly Zillenstein had been a great fortress.  In the old days it must have been impregnable.  Much of it was still standing in its ancient strength.  John saw that the walls were many feet thick, and that in the older parts the windows were mere slits through which a human body could not pass.

A much more modern addition to the right wing had been built, and John surmised that Prince Karl and his suite lived there.  Auersperg might have medieval notions of caste, but he was certain to have modern ideas of luxury.

He worked hard through all the rest of the day.  What a lucky thing it was that he had always liked horses, and had spent that year on the western ranch of his uncle!  Horses were the same everywhere, and as far as he could see they responded as readily to kind treatment in Europe as in America.  The same friendly disposition that won him the favor of people was now winning him the favor of animals, and Walther, who had spent fifty years in the stables, complimented him on his soothing touch.  John saw that he had made a new friend, and he meant to use him as a source of information.

He soon learned that Prince Karl would not stay long at Zillenstein.  He had come there, partly, to meet several great officers of Austria and confer with them.  His position as a Prussian general and a prince of both empires made him the most suitable person for the duty, and Zillenstein, in the heart of Austria, was the best place for the meeting.

Walther, a taciturn man, volunteered so much, but he went no farther, and John, despite his great anxiety, did not ask any questions.  He knew that he was a too recent arrival at Zillenstein to be making inquiries without arousing suspicion, and it was better anyhow to go slowly.  Late in the afternoon, Walther directed him to saddle and bridle a fine young horse and lead him to the front of the castle.

“One of the young noblemen who was wounded in a great battle in the west has been recovering from his wound at Zillenstein,” he said, “and he has been riding every day toward evening.  You will hold the horse until he comes, but he is always prompt.”

John led the horse, a fine young bay, along a curving road, until he stood before the entrance of the castle.  There he waited in silence, but he was using his eyes all the time.  He admired the great size and strength of Zillenstein, even in its decayed state, and he was confirmed in his belief that the prince and his suite inhabited the extension of the right wing.  Doubtless Julie and Suzanne should be sought there.

While he stood holding the horse one or two soldiers passing gave him scrutinizing looks, and a couple of trim Austrian maids did likewise, smiling at the same time, because John was very good looking, despite his fuzzy young beard.  He smiled back at them, as became one of his lowly station who had met with approval, and whispering to each other they passed on.  Now, he had two more new friends, and it occurred to him that these maids also might be of use to him in his great quest.  He had formed his plan and like a good general he was marshaling every possible force for its success.