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Rh advanced two more paces and coughed. Hans drew a long and profoundly significant stroke with his stick, and then the old fellow could contain himself no longer. 'Aha, young gentleman,' he said, in a friendly tone, taking off his hat, 'are you making a plan of our fortifications?' Cousin Hans assumed the look of one who is awakened from deep contemplation, and bowing politely, he answered with some embarrassment: 'No, it's only a sort of habit I have of trying to take my bearings wherever I may be.' 'An excellent habit, a most excellent habit,' the captain exclaimed with warmth. 'It strengthens the memory,' Cousin Hans remarked modestly. 'Certainly, certainly, sir,' answered the captain, who was beginning to be much pleased by this modest young man. 'Especially in situations of any complexity,' continued the modest young man, rubbing out his strokes with his foot. 'Just what I was going to say!' exclaimed the captain, delighted. 'And, as you may well believe, drawings and plans are especially indispensable in military science. Look at a battle-field, for example.' 'Ah, battles are altogether too intricate for me,' Cousin Hans interrupted, with a smile of humility. 'Don't say that, sir!' answered the kindly old man. 'When once you have a bird's-eye view of the ground and of the positions of the armies, even a tolerably complicated battle can be made quite comprehensible. This sand, now, that we have before us here, could very well be