"
"_Hein_?" M. Dupin eyed his host with interest. "A counter-stroke
to the First Consul--is that so?"
"Well, not exactly a downright counter-stroke; although, if I had my
way . . . but in fact (and I mention it in confidence, of course) our
Artillery here is planning a surprise upon our neighbours of Looe,
the descent to be made upon Talland Cove."
M. Dupin set down his glass. "But I am in luck to-night!" said he.
"You--I--we are all in luck!"
"Forgive me, I do not see--"
"Oh, decidedly, I am in very great luck! If only your neighbours of
Looe--they, too, have a corps of Artillery, I suppose?" M. Dupin
felt in his breast pocket and drew out a paper. "Quick! their
officer's name?"
"A Captain Pond commands them: Captain Aeneas Pond."
"Pond? Pond? See now, and I have an introduction to him! And you
have arranged to surprise him on the night of April 30th--and at
Talland Cove--when there will be no moon! Oh, damgood!"
"But even yet I do not see," the Major protested.
"Not quite. For the moment you do not see, quite; but in a little
while." M. Dupin leaned forward and tapped the Major's knee.
"Your Artillery? You can count on them?"
"To the death."
"How many?"
"Nine score, without reckoning uniforms or stretcher-bearers."
"Stretcher-bearers?"
"For the wounded. And, of course--during the operation you propose--
we expect our corps to be depleted.
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