persisted Bellini.
"Even in retreat they can see. The air has cleared so that considerable
bodies of troops in motion will be readily discernible from high
altitudes. The reason for our failure last night was that they knew our
plan of attack."

"They knew! They knew, after all our precautions! There is still a leak!
You--"

Westerling raised his clenched hand threateningly at the chief of
intelligence, his cheeks purple with rage, his eyes bloodshot. But
Bellini, with his boyish, small face and round head set close to his
shoulders, remained undisturbedly exact.

"Yes, there is a leak, and from the staff," he answered. "Until I have
found it this army ought to suspend any aggressive--"

"I was not asking advice!" interrupted Westerling.

"But, I repeat, the leak is not necessary to disclose this new movement
that you plan. Their air craft will disclose it," Bellini concluded. He
had done his duty and had nothing more to say.

"Dirigibles do not win battles!" Westerling announced. "They are won by
getting infantry in possession of positions and holding them. No matter
if we don't surprise the enemy. Haven't the Browns held their line with
inferior numbers? If they have, we can hold the rest of ours. That gives
us overwhelming forces at Engadir."

"You take all responsibility?" asked Turcas.

"I do!" said Westerling firmly. "And we will waste no more time. The
premier supports me. I have decided. We will set the troops in motion."

With fierce energy he set to work detaching units of artillery and
infantry from every part of the line and starting them toward Engadir.

"This means an improvised organization; it breaks up the machine," said
the tactical expert to Turcas when they were alone.

"Yes," replied Turcas. "He wanted no advice from us when he was taking
counsel of desperation. If he succeeds, success will retrieve all the
rest of his errors. We may have a stroke of luck in our favor."

* * * * *

In the headquarters of the Browns, junior officers and clerks reported
the words of each bulletin with the relief of men who breathed freely
again. The chiefs of divisions who were with Lanstron alternately sat
down and paced the floor, their restlessness now that of a happiness too
deeply thrilling to be expressed by hilarity. Each fresh detail only
confirmed the completeness of the repulse as that memorable night in the
affairs of the two nations slowly wore on. Shortly befo