A prince and man of his social importance could scarcely pass through the city without being noticed, and there would be gossip among the soldiers.

Fortunately he had been in Metz twice and he knew the romantic old city at the confluence of the Moselle and the Seille, dominated by its magnificent Gothic cathedral.

After all he might overtake Auersperg there and in some manner achieve his task.
Chance took a wide range in so great a war and nothing was impossible.
He was now approaching the line between France and Germany, and Metz lay only eleven miles beyond.

The beauty of the clear cold day endured.
There was snow on the hills, but the brilliant sun touched it with a luminous golden haze, and the crisp air was the breath of life.
He swung along at a great gait for one who walked.

Life for months without a roof had been hard, but it had toughened wonderfully those whom it did not kill, and John with a magnificent constitution was one of those who had profited most.