Toward the invading soldiery their conduct was beyond
reproach. With no false professions of friendship, they fulfilled
the hard services which were required of them. Their servants had
been helped away at the beginning of the trouble--all except the
old forester and his wife, who refused to leave. With their aid
the house was kept open and many of the conquerors lodged there
and in the outbuildings. So good were the quarters that a departing
Saxon chalked on the gate-post the dubious inscription: _"Gute
Leute-nicht auspliin-dern."_ Thus the captives at the Chateau
d'Azan had a good name even among their enemies. The baron received
a military pass which enabled him to move quite freely about the
district on his errands of necessity and mercy, and the chateau
became a favorite billet for high-born officers.
In the second year of the war an evil chance brought two uninvited
guests of very high standing indeed--that is to say in the social
ring of Potsdam. Their names are well known. Let us call them
Prince Barenberg and Count Ludra.
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