"But, your Majesty, they will not bite twice at the same bait."
"I should be sorry if they did, General, for it would not be what I wish. I believe that they will think that we intend to advance our flanks. I am trusting to them weakening their centre, for I intend to strike hard for Villet."
"Then you propose to hold the Kelbna road from Trun through Pinofska, and then from Blanne to Farnov?"
"That is my idea; and, in order to confirm them in the opinion that we intend flanking movements, we will move troops from Milova to Trun and Farnov by day, and move them back again at night. We must do everything we can to strengthen their belief that we wish to repeat the plan which succeeded so well on our left. If necessary, our flanks must fall back."
"It is a scheme full of danger, your Majesty."
"And also full of possibilities."
"Yes, your Majesty, of defeat as well as of success."
"That I refuse to consider, although we will take all precautions against such a thing. However, I do not press my scheme if anyone can suggest a better. You must remember that time is flying and the Bornians can bring two recruits to our one, while their line of communications from Ruln is not long, and so they have not very great difficulties in regard to transport."
That was the stratagem adopted, and the movements of our troops for the next two days puzzled even our own men. There is no doubt that the enemy were puzzled too, but they took the situation in the way that we wished.
We decided not to evacuate Atar, which--as I had foreseen--they did not bite at.