"
The major was silenced for a moment. "I congratulate you, Count,"
he said. "Monsieur le Marechal shall have your views without delay.
Tell me," he begged. "You say these fortifications lie in the
region of Torres Vedras. Can you be more precise?"
"I think so. But again I warn you that I can tell you only what I
infer. I judge they will run from the sea, somewhere near the
mouth of the Zizandre, in a semicircle to the Tagus, somewhere to
the south of Santarem. I know that they do not reach as far north
as San, because the roads there are open, whereas all roads to the
south, where I am assuming that the fortifications lie, are closed
and closely guarded."
"Why do you suggest a semicircle?"
"Because that is the formation of the hills, and presumably the line
of heights would be followed."
"Yes," the major approved slowly. "And the distance, then, would be
some thirty or forty miles?"
"Fully."
The major's face relaxed its gravity. He even smiled. "You will
agree, Count, that in a line of that extent a uniform strength is
out of the question. It must perforce present many weak, many
vulnerable, places."
"Oh, undoubtedly."
"Plans of these lines must be in existence.
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