[Illustration: CHÂTEL-CHÉHÉRY VILLAGE AND CHURCH _Behind the latter, I.C. 4 leading to Exermont._] which throws light on the German methods of treating the inhabitants of occupied districts:-- “33rd General Divisional Headquarters, “10th May, 1916. “We have absolutely no reason to be lenient with the French population. [Illustration: ADVANCE POST ON HILL 240 AT MONTREFAGNE NORTH-WEST OF EXERMONT] I order a fresh examination of the taxable capacity of the inhabitants, and no misplaced feeling of sympathy with the people of the district must be allowed to affect that enquiry. It would be well to consider whether, with this end in view, we might not occasionally imprison some of the inhabitants. “(Signed) Vollbrecht.” _Pass in front of the church and keep straight on. Cross the Boulasson Stream and follow the road past the foot of the promontory on which the_ =Château of Cornay= _used to stand_. This castle comprised several forts: Camp-Crochet, Vieux-Château, Grand Bel, and Petit Bel, all separated by deep trenches and connected by underground passages. A cross called “Croix-de-Bayle” now stands on the site of the “Grand Bel.” There is a tradition that this cross was erected to commemorate “the extinction of heresy,” Protestants having been numerous in the district. The fortress is said to have been destroyed during the Wars of the League. [Illustration: CORNAY VILLAGE AND CHURCH _I.C. 4 leading to Marcq._] The pretty little village of =Cornay= (_photo above_) which _is soon reached, is 2 km. from Châtel_. Burned down by the troops of Charles-Quint in 1552, it was rebuilt beside the ruins. The church dates from the 12th century, but was frequently restored. The last restoration dates from 1854, and is in harmony with the original style of the building. _Opposite Cornay, on the right bank of the Aire, is_ =Fléville=, which possesses a fine 16th century château. This village was taken by the Americans on October 4, 1918, whilst Cornay and Marcq, the next village, were only evacuated by the Germans on October 9 and 10. _Leave the Church of Cornay on the left and at the fork at the end of the village, take the left-hand road_ (_I.C._ 20) _which crosses the valley_ (traces of artillery emplacements). _At the first houses of_ =Marcq= _the road crosses that from St. Juvin._ _At the crossing there is a_ large German cemetery. [Illustration: CHEVIÈRES. BURNT DOWN BY THE GERMANS] _Many of the houses at Marcq_ (_2 km. 800 from Cornay_) were destroyed. _Pass through the village and keep straight on to_ =Chevières= (2 _km_.), completely burned down by the Germans previous to their departure (_photo above_). _Two kilometres beyond Chevières the road crosses the railway (l.c.) and runs into the Senuc road. Turn to the right and cross the Aire._ =Grandpré=, a pretty little town, many of whose houses have been destroyed, _is next reached_ (_2 km. 900 from Chevières_).