"the Spy of Aalen"

Here's the story as passed on to me by my friend Jack....

This is a chocolate from the town of Aalen, showing the tower of the historic town hall which houses a figurine of "the Spy of Aalen" (there used to be other figurines but they've been lost to fire). Sources for the legend have been few and not so clear, but the story goes something like this:

At some point during the Thirty Years War, a large enemy force (possibly of the Holy Roman Empire?) set up camp in the nearby city of Schwäbisch Gmünd. Fearing what may be in store, the people of Aalen sent a spy into the camp to discover the enemy's strength and plans. He made it into the center of the encampment before being captured, and when presented to the commander and asked what he was up to, his response was pretty much, "Oh, don't mind me, I'm just a spy." The enemy commander was apparently so impressed/amused by the guy's boldness that he gave him a tour of the camp and sent him back unharmed, and soon after withdrew his forces, having decided he liked the cut of these Aalen folks' jib.

No idea how true it is, but if it inspires people to make delicious peanut butter mousse filled chocolates, I'm all for it!