"
"Again undoubtedly. Sir Terence O'Moy will have plans in his
possession showing their projected extent. Colonel Fletcher, who is
in charge of the construction, is in constant communication with the
adjutant, himself an engineer; and - as I partly imagine, partly infer
from odd phrases that I have overheard - especially entrusted by Lord
Wellington with the supervision of the works."
"Two things, then, are necessary," said the major promptly. "The first
is, that the devastation of the country should be retarded, and as far
as possible hindered altogether."
"That," said Minas, "you may safely leave to myself and Souza's other
friends, the northern noblemen who have no intention of becoming the
victims of British disinclination to pitched battles."
"The second - and this is more difficult - is that we should obtain by
hook or by crook a plan of the fortifications." And he looked directly
at Samoval.
The Count nodded slowly, but his face expressed doubt.
"I am quite alive to the necessity. I always have been. But - "
"To a man of your resource and intelligence - an intelligence of
which you have just given such veer signal proof - the matter
should be possible." He paused a moment.
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