Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1915-01-29

only help to end the slaughter!" She
held out her hand convulsively in
parting as if she would leave the rest
with him.
81 think it will" he said soberly
IT think it will prove that you have
done a great service" he repeated as
he caught both her hands, which we're
cold from her ordeal. His own were
warm with the strong beating of his
heart stirred by the promise of what
he had just heard. But he did not
prolong the grasp. He was as eager
to be away to his work as she to be
alone. 81 think it will. You will know
in the morning." he added.
His steps were sturdier than ever
in the power of five against three as
he started back to the house. When
he reached the veranda, Bouchard, the
saturnine chief of intelligence, APP
peared in the doorway of the dining
room; or, rather, reappeared, for he
had been standing there throughout
the interview of Westerling and Marta,
whose heads were just visible, above
the terrace wall, to his hawk eyes.
"a little promenade in the open and
my mind made up" said Westerling,
clapping Bouchard on the shoulder.
Something about an attack to-
night?" asked Bouchard.
"You guess right. Call the others"
Five minutes later he was seated
at the head of the dining-room table
with his chiefs around him waiting for
their chairman to speak. He asked
some categorical questions almost per-
functorily, and the answer to each
was, Ready" with, in some instances,
qualification-the qualification made
by regimental and brigade command
ers that, though they could take the
position in front of them, the cost
would be heavy. Yes, all were willing
and ready for the first general assault
of the war, but they wanted to state
the costs as matter of professional
self-defense
Westerling could pose when it
served his purpose. Now he rose and,
going to one of the wall maps, indi-
Gated point with his forefnger.
"If we get that we have the most
vital position, haven't WEI"
Some uttered a word of assent;
some only nodded. A glance or two
Of curiosity was exchanged. Why
should the chief of staff ask so ele-
mentary a question? Westerling was
not unconscious Of the glances or Of
their meaning. They gave dramatic
value to his next remark.
1--WE are going to mass for our main
attack in front at Bordir!"
But" exclaimed four or five off,
GERS at once, that is the heart of
the position That is"
Il believe it is weak-that it will
fall, and tonight"
You have information, then, ipfor-
NATION that have not?" asked Bou-
chard.
mo more than you," replied Wester-
ling. mot as much if you have any
thing new"
"Nothing!" admitted Bouchard wryly
He lowered his head under Wester.
ling's penetrating look in the con.
seriousness of failure.
Il am going on a conviction-on
putting two and two together!" Yves
terling announced. Il am going on my
experience as a soldier, as a chief OF
staff. If l am wrong, l take the re
sponsibility. If am right, Bordir will
be ours before morning. 1t is settled!
IF you are right, then" exclaimed
Turcas-"well, then it's genius Or
He did not finish the sentence. He
had been about to say coincidence
while Westerling knew that if he were
right all the rising skepticism in Ger
tain quarters, owing to the delay in
his program, would be silenced. His
prestige would be unassailable.