"'Down by the square?' questioned the captain.
"'Yes.'
"'Put away your telephone and go to the floor above. Watch the square and you shall see what the French gunners can do. The people are in their houses?'
"'Yes, monsieur, they dare not go out at night. It is forbidden.'
"'Good! Do as I have directed, and go no more to the telephone until tomorrow night at this time, unless something of importance develops, then call for me. I shall leave orders to be summoned immediately.'
"Not fully understanding what the captain was about to do, the child hastened upstairs and, opening the door slightly, peered down the street.
"It was at this moment that a giant shell from a French battery exploded fairly in the middle of the square, with a terrific shock and roar. It was followed by several other heavy explosions. Then silence settled over the night.
"This silence, however, did not last for long. The forest in which so many German troops were being massed was bombarded all through the night, as were the entrenchments to the rear of the village where the enemy was busily engaged in fortifying themselves.
"The child shuddered. She was troubled.