"I understand that you came with the flying man, Lannes, who brought the
message responsible for this march, and that it is not the only time
you've done good service in our cause?"
John bowed modestly.
"Did you see any German troops on the way?"
"Only a band of Uhlans."
"A mere scouting party. It occurred to me that you might have seen
masses of troops belonging to the foe, indicating perhaps what is
awaiting us at the end of our march."
"I know nothing, sir. The Uhlans were all the foes we saw from the air,
save the man who shot Lannes."
"I believe you. You belong to the youngest of the great nations. Your
people have not yet learned to say with the accents of truth the thing
that is not. I am sixty years old, and yet I have the curiosity to know
where I am going and what I am expected to do when I get there. Behold
how I, an old man, speak so frankly to you, so young."
"When I saw your excellency leap into the saddle you did not seem to me
to be more than twenty."
John called him "your excellency" because he thought that in the absence
of precise knowledge of what was fitting the term was as good as
another.
A smile twinkled in the eyes of General Vaugirard. Evidently he was
pleased.
"That is flattery, flattery, young man," he said, "but it pleases me.
Since I've drawn from you all you know, which is but little, you may
fall back with your comrades. But keep near; I fancy I shall have much
for you to do before long.
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