Mercenary

  VIII

  Baron Malcolm Haer's field headquarters were in the ruins of a farmhouse in a town once known as Bearsville. His forces, and those ofMarshal Stonewall Cogswell, were on the march but as yet their mainbodies had not come in contact. Save for skirmishes between cavalryunits, there had been no action. The ruined farm house had been a victimof an earlier fracas in this reservation which had seen in itscomparatively brief time more combat than Belgium, that cockpit ofEurope.

  There was a sheen of oily moisture on the Baron's bulletlike head andhis officers weren't particularly happy about it. Malcolm Haercharacteristically went into a fracas with confidence, an aggressiveconfidence so strong that it often carried the day. In battles past, ithad become a tradition that Haer's morale was worth a thousand men; theenergy he expended was the despair of his doctors who had been warninghim for a decade. But now, something was missing.

  A forefinger traced over the military chart before them. "So far as weknow, Marshal Cogswell has established his command here in Saugerties.Anybody have any suggestions as to why?"

  A major grumbled, "It doesn't make much sense, sir. You know themarshal. It's probably a fake. If we have any superiority at all, it'sour artillery."

  "And the old fox wouldn't want to join the issue on the plains, downnear the river," a colonel added. "It's his game to keep up into themountains with his cavalry and light infantry. He's got Jack Alshuler'scavalry. Most experienced veterans in the field."

  "I know who he's got," Haer growled in irritation. "Stop reminding me.Where in the devil is Balt?"

  "Coming up, sir," Balt Haer said. He had entered only moments ago, asheaf of signals in his hand. "Why didn't they make that date 1910,instead of 1900? With radio, we could speed up communications--"

  His father interrupted testily. "Better still, why not make it 1945?Then we could speed up to the point where we could polish ourselves off.What have you got?"

  Balt Haer said, his face in sulk, "Some of my lads based in West Hurleyreport concentrations of Cogswell's infantry and artillery near Ashokanreservoir."

  "Nonsense," somebody snapped. "We'd have him."

  The younger Haer slapped his swagger stick against his bare leg andkilt. "Possibly it's a feint," he admitted.

  "How much were they able to observe?" his father demanded.

  "Not much. They were driven off by a superior squadron. The Hovercraftforces are screening everything they do with heavy cavalry units. I toldyou we needed more--"

  "I don't need your advice at this point," his father snapped. The olderHaer went back to the map, scowling still. "I don't see what he expectsto do, working out of Saugerties."

  A voice behind them said, "Sir, may I have your permission--"

  Half of the assembled officers turned to look at the newcomer.

  Balt Haer snapped, "Captain Mauser. Why aren't you with your lads?"

  "Turned them over to my second in command, sir," Joe Mauser said. He wasstanding to attention, looking at Baron Haer.

  The Baron glowered at him. "What is the meaning of this cavalierintrusion, captain? Certainly, you must have your orders. Are you underthe illusion that you are part of my staff?"

  "No, sir," Joe Mauser clipped. "I came to report that I am ready to putinto execution--"

  "The great plan!" Balt Haer ejaculated. He laughed brittlely. "Thesecond day of the fracas, and nobody really knows where old Cogswell is,or what he plans to do. And here comes the captain with his secretplan."

  Joe looked at him. He said, evenly, "Yes, sir."

  The Baron's face had gone dark, as much in anger at his son, as with theupstart cavalry captain. He began to growl ominously, "Captain Mauser,rejoin your command and obey your orders."

  Joe Mauser's facial expression indicated that he had expected this. Hekept his voice level however, even under the chuckling scorn of hisimmediate superior, Balt Haer.

  He said, "Sir, I will be able to tell you where Marshal Cogswell is, andevery troop at his command."

  For a moment there was silence, all but a stunned silence. Then themajor who had suggested the Saugerties field command headquarters were afake, blurted a curt laugh.

  "This is no time for levity, captain," Balt Haer clipped. "Get to yourcommand."

  A colonel said, "Just a moment, sir. I've fought with Joe Mauser before.He's a good man."

  "Not that good," someone else huffed. "Does he claim to be clairvoyant?"

  Joe Mauser said flatly. "Have a semaphore man posted here thisafternoon. I'll be back at that time." He spun on his heel and leftthem.

  Balt Haer rushed to the door after him, shouting, "Captain! That's anorder! Return--"

  But the other was obviously gone. Enraged, the younger Haer began toshrill commands to a noncom in the way of organizing a pursuit.

  His father called wearily, "That's enough, Balt. Mauser has evidentlytaken leave of his senses. We made the initial mistake of encouragingthis idea he had, or thought he had."

  "_We?_" his son snapped in return. "I had nothing to do with it."

  "All right, all right. Let's tighten up, here. Now, what otherinformation have your scouts come up with?"