Where, then, can lie the snare? Your theory presupposes
an impassable barrier to arrest the French when they are deep in the
country and an overwhelming force to cut off their retreat when that
barrier is reached. The overwhelming force does not exist and cannot
be manufactured; as for the barrier, no barrier that it lies within
human power to construct lies beyond French power to over-stride."
"I should not make too sure of that," Samoval warned him. "And you
have overlooked something."
The major glanced at the Count sharply and without satisfaction. He
accounted himself - trained as he had been under the very eye of the
great Emperor - of some force in strategy and tactics, a player too
well versed in the game to overlook the possible moves of an opponent.
"Ha!" he said, with the ghost of a sneer. "Far instance, Monsieur le
Comte?"
"The overwhelming force exists," said Samoval.
"Where is it then? Whence has it been created? If you refer to
the united British and Portuguese troops, you will be good enough to
bear in mind that they will be retreating before the Prince. They
cannot at once be before and behind him."
The man's cool assurance and cooler contempt of Samoval's views
stung the Count into some sharpness
"Are you seeking information, sir, or are you bestowing it?" he
inquired.
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