"As I expected!" remarked Captain Langlois. "If that really was a wireless plant it won't be sending out any more electric waves."
"I should say not," said Don, a little soberly.
"Inscribe the elements," commanded the captain.
"Inscribe the elements," repeated the operator, speaking to the man at the battery end of the wire.
Don could not help reflecting upon the methodical and businesslike manner of the whole proceeding. There was nothing to indicate that either of the officers held any feeling of hate or vindictiveness toward the foe; their attitude was rather that of men who having had important work to do are glad of its successful accomplishment.
"Do you know what 'inscribe the elements' means?" asked the lieutenant, breaking in upon the boy's thoughts.
"I think I do, Monsieur le Lieutenant," replied Don. "The officer in command of the battery is to write on a chart the exact elements in order that they may have the information in case they should ever be required to fire at the same point again."
"Precisely so," said the other, with a smile.
The ambulanciers still kept their eyes upon the German trenches, as shells were now occasionally exploding here and there. After a short time, due to the steady increase in the bombardment, dark and light puffs of smoke, according to the character of the shell, were rising continually into view. Vaguely suggestive of the surf, ever tumbling in fleecy foam upon the beach, were these appearing and disappearing smoke clouds softened by atmosphere distance.
"The first part of our work is completed; now for the second!" remarked Lieutenant D'Arraing. "Far to the right, where you see that little leafless tree sticking up, we intend to get the range of the Boche trenches."