"If we get that we have the most vital position, haven't we?" 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 elementary a question? Westerling was not unconscious of the glances or of their meaning. They gave dramatic value to his next remark. "We are going to mass for our main attack in front at Bordir!" "But," exclaimed four or five officers at once, "that is the heart of the position! That is--" "I believe it is weak--that it will fall, and to-night!" "You have information, then, information that I have not?" asked Bouchard. "No more than you," replied Westerling. "Not as much if you have anything new." "Nothing!" admitted Bouchard wryly. He lowered his head under Westerling's penetrating look in the consciousness of failure. "I am going on a conviction--on putting two and two together!" Westerling announced. "I am going on my experience as a soldier, as a chief of staff. If I am wrong, I take the responsibility. If I am right, Bordir will be ours before morning. It 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 scepticism in certain quarters, owing to the delay in his programme, would be silenced. His prestige would be unassailable. XXXV MRS. GALLAND INSISTS "You have been in the tunnel again!" said Mrs. Galland with an emphasis on "again," when Marta came up the stairs, lantern in hand, after telling Lanstron of her interview with Westerling. "Again--yes!" Marta replied mechanically. Her mind was empty, burned out. She had thought herself through with deceit for the day. "What interests you so much down there?" Mrs. Galland pursued softly. Marta realized that she had to deal with a fresh dilemma. She could not be making frequent visits to the telephone without her mother's knowledge; and, as yet, Mrs. Galland knew nothing of the part originally planned for Feller, let alone any inkling of her daughter's part. "I didn't know but it would be a good place to hide our plate and other treasures," said Marta, offering rather methodically the first invention that came to mind as she threw open-the reflector of the lantern and turned down the wick. She was ashamed of the excuse. It warned her how easy it was becoming for her to lie--yes, lie was the word. "Don't blow out the light, please," said Mrs. Galland. "I should like to see for myself if the tunnel is a good hiding-place for the plate." "It's too damp for you down there--it's--" Marta blew out the flame with a sudden gust of breath and bolted across the room and into her chamber, closing the door and taking the lantern with her. In utter fatigue she dropped on the bed. Then came a gentle, prolonged knocking on the door. "You forgot to leave the lantern," called Mrs. Galland. "I have come to get it, if you please."