"Nothing?"
"Nothing, sir. I have heard no word from the enemy since my conversation with you last night."
"Please repeat to me your reply of last night to the unofficial overtures made through the Swiss ambassador. My memory is not as good as it once was, general."
"I simply repeated your words, sir. I said: 'If the German general staff desires to ask an armistice on the western front, the allied forces will respect a flag of truce.'"
"And that is all, general?"
"That is all, sir. It was plain enough. The enemy knows now that he need attempt to gain no delay by subterfuge. If he is sincere in his appeal, a flag of truce will be sent from the German lines."
"Exactly," said Marshal Foch. "In the meantime, general, I shall order an attack in force along the whole front."
"I shall report to you the moment there are developments," said General Marcel.
"Very well, general. Let us hope the developments will come speedily. That is all."
General Marcel saluted and withdrew.