“Yes, a very bad business, sir,” said the divisional commander, and Barry fancied he caught a new note in his voice, a note of sternness, almost of challenge.
“Seems that we missed that wire, eh, along here?” said the corps commander, putting his finger upon a map which lay on the table.
“We must have that patrolled very carefully, you know.” There was a note of criticism in his voice.
“Yes, sir,” replied the corps commander courteously. “I wasn't at all sure that the wire was cut, and so reported.”
“Ah!”
“This strong point should have been removed,” continued the divisional commander, putting his finger upon a point of junction. “That I asked to be done, but McDowell seems to have missed it.”
“Ah!”
“The enfilade got us from that point, of course.” There was no mistaking the implication in the general's words.
“Ah! You reported that, eh?”
“You will find it in my report, sir. My division has suffered very heavily from that strong point.”