"You can buy contraband cigars at two sous each in the village below," he observed.
"What news is there to tell?" demanded Jack.
"News? The same as usual. They are shelling Strassbourg with mortars; the city is on fire. Six hundred women and children left the city; the International Aid Society demanded it."
Presently he added: "A big battle was fought this morning along the Meuse. You can hear the guns yet."
"I have heard them for an hour," replied Jack.
They listened. Far to the south the steady intonation of the cannon vibrated, a vague sustained rumour, no louder, no lower, always the same monotonous measure, flowing like the harmony of flowing water, passionless, changeless, interminable.
"Along the Meuse?" asked Jack, at last.
"Yes."
"Sedan?"
"Yes, Sedan."