The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1914-11-27

then 1t was good to have q 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 Westerling
let the conversation run ON without .
word of excuse for his Havorite.
Each fresh reproach from the staff,
whose opinion was the only god he
knew, was 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 stan.
Now he was as confused in his shame
as a sensitive schoolboy. Vaguely.
in his distress, he heard Westerling
asking question, while he saw all
those eyes staring at him.
What information have we about
Engadir?'
Il believe 1t to be strongly forti-
f1ed!" stammered Bouchard.
"You believe! You have NO infor-
mation?" pursued Westerling.
mo, sir" replied Bouchard. Moth
ing-nothing newt"
we do seem to gel little informa-
tion," said Westerling, looking hard
at 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 Ia that we had from one Of
our aviators whose machine came
down in a smash Just as he got over
our infantry positions on his return"
said the chief aerostatic officer. He
was in a dying condition when we
picked him up, and, aa he was speak
Ing with the last breaths In his body,
naturally his account of what he had
seen was somewhat incoherent 1t
would be Of use, however, II we had
plans Of the forts thst would enable
US to check OF 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 a written tele-
graphic stan 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 leakl" exclaimed
Westerling, "a leak, Bouchard, do you
hear?" He was frowning and his lips
were drawn and his cheeks mottled
with red in way not pleasant to see
Stiffening in his chair, a fash Of
desperation in his eye, Bouchard's
bony, long hand gripped the table
edge. Every one felt that a sensa-
ton was coming.
"Yes, have known that there was
leak!" he said with hoarse, painful
elaboration. Il have sent out every
possible tracer. have followed up
every sort of clew. l have trans
ferred a dozen men. 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 1t is not
the telegraphers or the clerks. 1t is
a member of the stan
Have you gone out of your head 2"
demanded Westerling, What STAFF
officer? How does he get the infor-
nation to the enemy? Name the per-
sons you suspect here and nowl Ex-
plain, II you want I'd be considered
sane!"
Here was the blacklist accusation
that could be made against an officerl
The chosen men OF the staff, tested
through many grades before they
reached the inner circle of cabinet Sc
crecy. lost the composure OF a council.
All were leaning forward toward Bou-
chard breathless for his answer.
There are three women on the
grounds" said Bouchard. II have been
against their staying from the first
l."
He got no further. His words were
drowned by the outbuTst of one Of the
younger members of the stan, who
had either to laugh or choke at the
picture OF this deep-eyed. spectral sort
OF man. known as a woman-hater. in
his revelation OF the farcical source
of his suspicious.
why not include Clarissa Eileen -
some one asked, starting 9 chorus Of
satirtcal EXPLANATIONS.