Chapter II: Early Days at the War Office............................. 18

Plan of issuing _communiqués_ given up owing to the disposition
to conceal reverses that manifested itself -- Direct telephonic
communication with the battlefield in Belgium -- A strange
attempt to withhold news as to the fall of Brussels -- Anxiety
during the retreat from Mons -- The work of the Topographical
Section at that time -- Arrival of refugee officers and other
ranks at the War Office -- One of the Royal Irish affords
valuable information -- Candidates for the appointment of
"Intelligence Officer" -- How one dealt with recommendations in
regard to jobs -- Linguists -- The discoverer of interpreters,
fifty produced as if by magic -- The Boy Scouts in the War Office
-- An Admirable Crichton -- The scouts' effective method of
handling troublesome visitors -- Army chaplains in embryo -- A
famous cricketer doing his bit -- A beauty competition outside my
door -- The Eminent K.C. -- An impressive personality -- How he
benefits the community -- The Self-Appointed Spy-Catcher -- Gun
platforms concealed everywhere -- The hidden dangers in disused
coal mines in Kent -- Procuring officers for the New Armies --
"Bill" Elliot's unorthodox methods -- The Military Secretary's
branch meets with a set-back -- Visits from Lord Roberts -- His
suggestion as to the commander-in-chiefship in China -- His last
visit -- The Antwerp business -- The strategical situation with
regard to the Belgian field army -- The project of our Government
-- The despatch of the Seventh Division and the Third Cavalry
Division to Belgian Flanders -- Organization of base and line of
communications overlooked -- A couple of transports "on their
own" come to a halt on the Goodwins -- Difficulty of the
strategical situation -- Death of Sir C. Douglas.