strange. Kratzek was the relative of Auersperg,
and it was natural that he should be sent to Zillenstein to recover.

The young Austrian glanced at the new groom, but there was no sign of
recognition on his face.

"I have not seen you before," he said.

"No, sir," replied John, "I've just come today. I've been wandering
eastward from Lorraine, where I was born, and the Herr Walther has been
kind enough to give me work."

"You're the man of whom I heard Pappenheim speak so well. He has been
telling us all how a wandering peasant rode that black devil of his."

"I am fortunate in understanding horses."

"Well, you've made a friend in Pappenheim."

John gave him the reins and Kratzek, drawing himself a little stiffly
into the saddle, cantered away. John, although not recognized, felt as
if he had met a friend again, and Zillenstein seemed less lonely to him.

He watched Kratzek riding down the mountain until the firs and pines hid
him, and then, as he turned to go back to the stables, he found the two
maids near him, a little forward, and yet a little shy, but wholly
curious about the handsome young stranger.

Bearing in mind that the news of the household, even of a huge castle,
filtered most often through women, he smiled back at them and said
pleasantly in his new German:

"Good morning. May I ask your names?"

One was blond and the other brunette, and the brunette answered:

"We're Ilse and Olga, maids of the household of His Highness, Prince
Karl of Auersperg."

"And very pretty maids, too," said John gallantly, as he took off his
cap and bowed. "When I look at Ilse I think she is the more beautiful,
when I look at Olga I think she is the more beautiful, but when I see
them together I think they are equally beautiful."

They giggled and nudged each other.

"You are the man who rode the young count's horse," said Ilse, who took
the lead in talk as brunettes usually do, "and I hope you will pardon
our forwardness in wishing to look at so wonderful a person."

There was a wicked little glint in her eye, but John only smiled again.

"I was lucky," he said.

"We saw you," said Olga. "We were standing on the edge of the lower
terrace when you sprang into the saddle. We were sure you would be
killed."

"But we were glad you were not," said Ilse. "We were pleased when we saw
you riding the great black horse directly back to the castle. Do you
mean to stay here all the time?"

"Where there is so much