“I’ll show you,” said the general.  “Draw up chairs, gentlemen; you may be able to help me.”

The three did as requested and then the Austrian commander spread a big map on the desk.

“Here,” he said, “are the positions of my troops.  Now, having in mind the lay of the enemy forces, can you not see that a feint on the enemy left wing, followed by an attack in force on the center, is the key to the whole situation?”

Colonel Anderson nodded his head slowly.  In the meantime he was looking carefully at the map before him, impressing it upon his memory, as were Hal and Chester also.

The colonel put a finger on the map.

“Then the bulk of your men are massed here?” he asked, indicating the center.

“No, that’s the beauty of it,” was the reply.  “My strength is on my left wing.  But an attack in force in the center, after a feint with my right, will call such Italian troops to the center that a second assault in force on our left will be almost certain of success.”

“I see,” said the colonel slowly.  “You are right, sir.  And what is the strength, approximately, of your left wing?”

“One hundred and fifty thousand men.  Fifty to seventy-five thousand in the center and somewhat under fifty thousand in the right wing.”

“Enough to make a show of force at any given point,” commented the colonel.

“Exactly; and with these maps and plans you have brought me, there can be no reason for failure.”

“Have you ever considered, general,” said Hal, “that a raid by the enemy in force of say fifty thousand men, through your right wing, would give them a commanding position in the mountains, a position from which they could not be dislodged without a deal of trouble?”

“It has been one of my worries,” was the quiet reply.  “But, because of the strategic position of the ground, I cannot afford to weaken my left wing or my center to strengthen it.  But if this new plan of mine goes through, it will obviate all danger of such an attack.”

“And how long would it take you to prepare for such an attack?” asked Chester.

“I would not attempt it under three days,” was the reply.  “Besides, feeling sure of success as I do, I will wait for another reason.  The Emperor of Germany will be here within the next day or two and I would have him see my troops in action.  I trust you will stay here until he arrives.  I shall take pleasure in commending you to his Majesty.”

“We shall be glad to accept your hospitality until that time,” said the colonel, “if you can provide us with suitable quarters.”

“It shall be done,” said the general and clapped his hands.

An orderly entered and to him the general gave the necessary instructions.  As the three would have followed the orderly out, the general stayed them.

“One moment,” he said.  “I had forgotten you are not in uniform and would be annoyed without a paper giving you the freedom of our lines.”