t of automatically reloading
and firing itself at the interval of every ten seconds, its muzzle
rising, falling, or veering slightly from side to side with each
discharge, thus causing the shells to fall at wide distances. The
poisonous nature of the immense volumes of gas poured out by the
mastodon when in action necessitated the withdrawal of its crew to a
safe distance. But once set in motion it needed no attendant. It had
been tested by a preliminary shot the day before, which had been
directed to a point several miles outside the walls of Paris, the effect
of which had been observed and reported by high-flying German aeroplanes
equipped with wireless. Everything was ready for the holocaust.

Von Heckmann and the general of artillery continued to make their way
through the intrenchments and other fortifications, until at a distance
of about a quarter of a mile from the redoubt where they had left the
Relay Gun they arrived at a small whitewashed cottage.

"I have invited a few of my staff to join us," said the general to the
inventor, "in order that they may in years to come describe to their
children and their grandchildren this, the most momentous occasion in
the history of warfare."

They turned the corner of the cottage and came upon a group of officers
standing by the wooden gate of the cottage, all of whom saluted at their
approach.

"Good evening, gentlemen," said the general. "I beg to present the
members of my staff," turning to Von Heckmann.

The officers stood back while the general led the way into the cottage,
the lower floor of which consisted of but a single room, used by the
recent tenants as a kitchen, dining-room, and living-room. At one end of
a long table, constructed by the regimental carpenter, supper had been
laid, and a tub filled with ice contained a dozen or more quarts of
champagne. Two orderlies stood behind the table, at the other end of
which was affixed a small brass switch connected with the redoubt and
controlled by a spring and button. The windows of the cottage were open,
and through them poured the light of the full moon, dimming the
flickering light of the candles upon the table.

In spite of the champagne, the supper, and the boxes of cigars and
cigarettes, an atmosphere of solemnity was distinctly perceptible. It
was as if each one of these officers, hardened to human suffering by a
lifetime of discipline and active service, to say nothing of the years
of horror through