John thought his eyes good, but all the lower part of his face was concealed by the beard.
"I hope you're doing better there than we are on the east," said Carstairs.
"Have you, then, had bad luck?" asked Weber.
"I'd scarcely blame any part of it on luck. Jove, but it's just a plain case of the other side being ready, while we are not."
"And you ride then for help?"
"Something of that kind, although of course we couldn't tell anybody where we are going."
"And I shall not dream of asking you. I know a soldier's duty too well. I ride on an errand myself, but I shall not refuse to tell you anything because you are not going to ask me."
All four laughed. John liked Weber better and better. He saw that he was a cheerful man, with a touch of humor, and he heartened the other three mightily.
Weber told that the French were now well ahead with their preparations, the English were beginning to stir and presently the Germans would find the armies before them much more powerful.
"On what road did you receive your wound?" asked John. "You won't mind telling us this, I hope, because that will be a good road for us to avoid."