After entering Rheims the French, to protect the innocent citizens against bombs dropped by German air-ships, for two nights placed a search-light on the towers, but, fearing this might be considered a breach of agreement as to the mitrailleuses, the abbe Chinot ordered the search-light withdrawn.

Five days later, during which time the towers were not occupied and the cathedral had been converted into a hospital for the German wounded and Red Cross flags were hanging from both towers, the Germans opened fire upon it.

Had it been the search-light to which the Germans objected, they would have fired upon it when it was in evidence, not five days after it had disappeared.
When, with the abbe Chinot, I spent the day in what is left of the cathedral, the Germans still were shelling it.

Two shells fell within twenty-five yards of us.

It was at that time that the photographs that illustrate this chapter were taken.
The fire started in this way.