Towers said: "Then why the deuce..." and broke off. Brotherton gloomed heavily. The Doctor went on:
"The Emperor and the Prince Imperial were on the heights, with the Imperial Staff, to see the show—an astonishing spectacle it must have been. Frossard, in the center with supports drawn from the Second Corps—Marshal Bazaine on the right, with troops picked from the Third. And in command of the Fifth Corps, De Failly, who crossed the river at Saarguemines."
Queried Tower:
"And when the big bow-wow had made the little one drop the bone, he didn't stick to it?"
The Doctor returned:
"No—and that's the puzzle of the whole affair. The whole glorious display resolved itself into a cannonade, with occupation of the heights on the left bank, and nothing further. Though the French foreposts actually occupied the three bridges and held the town."
Tower said, his pale eyes sharp with intelligence:
"Bet you a tenner it was done for the boy. Got up to blood the young'un—cockerel of the Walk Imperial. Geewhillikins!—What telegrams Nap must have fired off to St. Cloud!"
"They'll have read them in Berlin and London long before they get to us," said the Doctor, shrugging. "Where are you off to, Brotherton?"
Brotherton returned—and the tone was offensive, if the words were not: