The third week after the camp had been pitched at Bozza he suddenly said to the general with a very anxious face:
"Sir, what if Tököly were to appear at some other gate of the kingdom while we are lying here?"
"Every avenue is closed against him," answered Heissler.
"But suppose he got in before we came here?"
"The trouble then would not be how he got in but how he could get out again."
But Teleki wanted to show that he also knew something of the science of warfare, so he said with the grave face of an habitual counsellor:
"I do not think it expedient that we worthy soldiers should be crammed up into a corner of the kingdom. In my opinion it would be much safer if, after guarding every pass, we took up a position equi-distant between Törcsvár and Bozza."
Now for once Teleki was right, but for that very reason Heissler was all the more put out. It was intolerable that a lay-general should suggest something to him which he could not gainsay.
And the worst of it was Teleki would not leave the general alone. "I am participating in nothing here," said he, "make use of me, give me something to do, and I will do it—occupation is what I want."
"I'll give it you at once," said Heissler, and putting his arm through Teleki's he led him to his tent, there made him sit down beside him at a round table, sent one of the yawning guards to summon Noscher, Magni, Doria and the other generals, made them sit down by the side of Teleki, sat down at the table himself, and drawing a pack of cards from his pocket, gave it to Teleki with the words: