The sortie was made next night. A Russian
column of considerable strength advanced some distance along the
Woronzoff Road, but finding the English on the alert immediately
retired.
The next piece of information that reached McKay from the same source,
but by a different messenger, was more readily credited. He learnt
this time that the Russians intended to establish a new kind of
battery in front of the Karabel suburb.
"What kind?" asked McKay.
The messenger, a hungry-looking Tartar who spoke broken English, but
when encouraged explained himself freely in Russian, said--
"Big guns; they sink one end deep into the ground, the other point
very high."
"I understand. They want to give great elevation, so as to increase
the range."
"Yes, you see. They will reach right into your camp."
Again the information proved correct. Within a couple of days the
camps of the Third and Fourth Divisions, hitherto deemed safe from the
fire of the fortress, were disturbed by the whistling of round-shot in
their midst. The fact was reported in due course to headquarters.
"You see, sir, it is just what I was told," said McKay to General
Airey.
"Upon my word, you deserve great credit. You seem to have organised an
intelligence department of your own, and, what is more to the purpose,
your fellow seems always right.
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