'Sir, won't you order Tretiakoff to remain on the summit of the hill all the time? Let him sit there. Let him see for himself how the men are faring.'
The latter turned to Reuss and told him to telephone to Colonel Tretiakoff on no account to leave the top of the hill.
Smirnoff looked helplessly at those around, his glance now angry, now contemptuous.
'But Tretiakoff is always there! He is himself in immediate command of the fighting.'
This reply changed the current of Stössel's thoughts, for he replied:
'And so with the loss of this hill the days of this place are as good as——'
'Gentlemen, I guarantee that 203 Metre Hill will be ours as long as it can be reinforced without risk to the north-east front. You may feel at ease; I promise you that by morning-tea to-morrow I will give you the hill,' interrupted Smirnoff, his voice trembling.
'But it is all the same necessary that Tea Valley be partitioned off, or they will be able to break through,' was the reply.
'I have not enough men; if I do that I can't hold on to 203 Metre.'