The one knows that all is over; the other respects him too deeply to attempt a falsehood." A grasp of the hand--a word from the Commandant: "Well done, _mon ami_!" But the Captain is thinking of his men.

"_Mon Commandant_--if the Boches get through, it is not the fault of my company.

They did all they could." Then a last message to his wife.
And presently his name is carried through the dark by a carrier-pigeon down to the Headquarters below: "The enemy surrounds us.

I report to you the bravery of Captain Tabourot, seriously wounded.

We are holding out." And a few hours later: "Captain Tabourot of the 142nd has died gloriously.