“While the operation is being prepared by one of the belligerents, if you read that one of his patrols has been wiped out in the neighbourhood of the position by the other belligerent, one of the conclusions which you are entitled to draw is that one side was attempting to reconnoitre the defensive works with which the other intended to resist his attack.
![In Search of Lost Time [volumes 1 to 7]](https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1489831234l/34617452._SY475_.jpg)
