“You are not also one of His disciples, are you?”

I was listening John's Gospel yesterday evening at work, though allot of things stand out I hit a question in chapter 18


"And Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple. Now that disciple was known to the high priest, and went with Jesus into the courtyard of the high priest.
But Peter stood at the door outside. Then the other disciple, who was known to the high priest, went out and spoke to her who kept the door, and brought Peter in.
Then the servant girl who kept the door said to Peter, “You are not *also one of this Man’s disciples, are you?” He said, “I am not.”
Now the servants and officers who had made a fire of coals stood there, for it was cold, and they warmed themselves. And Peter stood with them and warmed himself...

...Now Simon Peter stood and warmed himself. Therefore they said to him, “You are not *also one of His disciples, are you?” He denied it and said, “I am not!”"

John 18:15-18 & 25[*Emphasis added]

So John (the other disciple) was known by the high priest & had permission to safely enter the courtyard, in fact it seems he was even well enough known in the household that he could even get the servant who kept the gate to allow Peter in.

But when it comes to the question that the servant girl & those around the fire ask of Peter the word 'also' struck out to me.

So my question is, does the use of 'also' in their questions imply that these people knew that another disciple (John) was already there. Showing that either John was known, or word had spread through the crowd that John was a disciple but had permission from Caiaphas to be there. And the question asked of Peter is 'Are you not one of his disciples as well?'


Anyone got any thoughts?