news and passed it on? Some officers who could be spared from duty went
to their quarters, where they dropped like falling logs on their beds.
To them, after their spell of rejoicing, victory meant sleep for the
first time in weeks without forked lightnings of apprehension stabbing
their sub-consciousness.

Fellowship was in the victory, the fellowship which, developed under
Partow, who believed that Napoleons and Colossi and gods in the car and
all such gentlemen belonged to an archaic farce-comedy, had grown under
Lanstron. "The staff reports," began the messages that awakened a world,
retiring with the idea that the Browns were grimly holding the
defensive, to the news that three millions had outgeneralled and
defeated five.

In the inner room, whose opening door gave glimpses of Lanstron and the
division chiefs, a magic of secret council which the juniors could not
quite understand had wrought the wonder. Lanstron had not forgotten the
dead. He could see them; he could see everything that happened. Had not
Partow said to him: "Don't just read reports. Visualize men and events.
Be the artillery, be the infantry, be the wounded--live and think in
their places. In this way only can you really know your work!"

His elation when he saw his plans going right was that of the instrument
of Partow's training and Marta's service. He pressed the hands of the
men around him; his voice caught in his gratitude and his breaths were
very short at times, like those of a spent, happy runner at the goal.
Feeding on victory and growing greedy of more, his division chiefs were
discussing how to press the war till the Grays sued for peace; and he
was silent in the midst of their talk, which was interrupted by the
ringing of the tunnel telephone. When he came out of his bedroom,
Lanstron's distress was so evident that those who were seated arose and
the others drew near in inquiry and sympathy. It seemed to them that the
chief of staff, the head of the machine, who had left the room had
returned an individual.

"The connection was broken while we were speaking!" he said blankly.
"That means it must have been cut by the enemy--that the enemy knows of
its existence!"

"Perhaps not. Perhaps an accident--a chance shot," said the vice-chief.

"No, I'm sure not," Lanstron replied. "I am sure that it was cut
deliberately and not by her."

"The 53d Regiment is going forward in that direction--the same regiment
that defended the house--and