"We don't know," came the answer again.
On the fields of mangel-wurzels flanking the road we could see masses of motionless artillery. Was the Army Corps retiring? And yet we had not been outflanked this time.... I was suddenly seized with anxiety.
It began to rain harder. Under the moving ray of a searchlight I caught a glimpse of a long road black with men and horses.
My carriage had ranged up close to those of the first gun.
"Hutin!"
"Here! Yes? Hallo, it's you!"
"Yes.... Well, are we retiring?"
"No."
"What? The whole division is falling back!..."
"We're being replaced."