Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1914-10-13

eAoso eoiy "eFo greatly under
estimated. Finally, cannot reduce
my force too much in scouting or they
might take the offensive"
/ Another case Of not being in
formed" concluded Turcas, returning
grimly to his point
He looked at Bouchard, and every
one began looking at Bouchard. II the
Gray tacticians had been outplayed by
their opponents, If their losses for the
ground gained exceeded calculations.
then 1t was good to have . scape,
goat for their professional mistakes.
Bouchard was Westerling's choice for
chief OF intelligence. His blind 10y
atty was pleasing to his superior, who,
hitherto, had promptly silenced any
suggestion of criticism by repeating
that the defensive always appeared to
the offensive to be better informed
than itself. But this time Westerltng
let the conversation run on without
word Of excuse for his favorits.
Each fresh reproach from the staff,
whose opinion was the only god he
knew, was a dagger thrust to Bou-
chard. At night he had lain awake
worrying about the leak; by day he
had sought to trace it. only to find
every clew leading back to the staff.
Now he was as confused in his shame
as a sensitive schoolboy. Vaguely,
in his distress, he heard westerling
a9EinQ a question ur1,ila hA olI
those eyes staring at him.
What information have we about
EngadtrT
Il believe II to be strongly forti-
hedi" stammered Bouchard.
You believed You have no infor-
mstionH'' pursued Westerling.
mo, SIR" replied Bouchard. Moth
ing-nothing newt"
We do seem to get little informa-
tion," said Westerling, looking hard
ct Bouchard in silence-the COM
bined silence of the whole staff.
This public reproof could have but
one meaning. He should soon receive
note which would thank him politely
for his services, in the stereotyped
phrases always used for the purpose,
before announcing his transfer to a
less responsible post.
Very little, sir!" Bouchard replied
doggedly.
There is that we had from one Of
our aviators whose machine came
down In q smash just as he got over
our infantry positions on his return"
said the chief aerostatio officer. HE
was in dying condition when we
picked him up, and, as he was speak
ing with the last breaths in his body,
naturally his account of what he had
seen WAS somewhat incoherent. II
would be of use. however, IL we had
plans OF the forts that would enable
US to check off his report intelli.
gently"
yet, what evidence have We that
Partow or Lanstron has done more
than to make q fortunate guess or
show military insight?" Westerling
asked There is the case of my own
belief that Bordir was weak, which
proved correct"
Last night we got written tele.
graphic staff message from the body
Of dead officer of the Browns found
in the Twin Boulder Redoubt," said
the vice-chief, (which showed that in
an hour after our plans were transmit
ted to our own troops for the first
attack they were known to the en-
envy"
That looks like leaki" exclaimed
Westerling, "a leak, Bouchard. do you
hear?" He was frowning and his lips
were drawn and his cheeks mottled
with red in a way not pleasant to see
Stiffening in his chair, a flash OF
desperation in his eye, Bouchards g
bony, long hand gripped the table
edge. Every one felt that sensa
ton was coming.
yes, have known that there was
q leakl" he said with hoarse, painful
deliberation. II have sent out every
possible tracer. 1 have followed up
every sort of clew. have trans.
ferred a dozen man. have left moth
ing undone!"
with no result?" persisted Wester
ling impatiently.
Yes, always the same result: That
the leak is here in this house-here
in the grand headquarters of the army
under our very noses. know it is not
the telegraphers or the clerks. It is
q member of the staff"
"Haye you gone out Of your head p
demanded Westerling. What staff
oficer7 How does he get the infor
nation to the enemy7 Name the per
sons you suspect here and nowl Ex
plain. II you want to be considered
saneiS
Here was the blackest accusation
that could be made against an officer
The chosen men OF the staff. tested
through many grades before they
reached the inner circle of cabinet So
craoy. lost the composure of council
An ware leaning forward toward Bou
chard breathless for his answer.
! There are three women on the
grounds" said Boucbard. 'T have been
against their staying from the first
-
He got no further. His words were
drowned By the outburst Of one Of the
younger members of the staff, who
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