Under normal circumstances Carmichael would not have dismounted, but his horse had carried him many miles that morning, and he was a merciful rider.

In the war days often had his life depended upon the care of his horse.
"You have been riding hard ?" "No, only far." "I do not believe that there is a finer horseman in all Ehrenstein than yourself." "Your highness is very good to say that." Why had he not gone on instead of waiting at the fork?
Within a few hundred yards of the gates he mounted again.

And then he saw a lonely figure sitting on the parapet.

He would have recognized that square form anywhere.

And he welcomed the sight of it.
"Your Highness, do you see that man yonder, on the parapet?
We fought in the same cavalry.