It was none other than that same lad, Leopold Kratzek, whom he had saved in the fight at the trench.

In his surprise John came very near to greeting him by name, but luckily he controlled himself in time.
He noticed that Kratzek was almost entirely recovered.

The color in his face was fresh, his walk was firm and elastic, and John was glad of it.
He liked the lad whose life he had saved.

He recalled, too, that his presence there was not 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.