[PW] etapes

[burchell at telusplanet.net]

Hi!
I have Googled, Wikkied, Yahooed & everything else I can think of to no avail,
and, once again, am at the mercy of the the never failing Wombats for help!
The term etapes, which, as I understand it, having first encountered it in
crossword puzzles, is the definition for a days march, and later, in a short
story entitled "Dawn at Etapes" depicting a duel fought over a chess match
as an etape. An etape is also, I believe, a series of graneries, and supply
depots, established by Napolean, that were  built and maintained to coincide
at each etape so that men and horses could re-arm, and re-supply. One of 
R.F. Delderfeld's novels (sorry, I don't recall the title, tells the story
of three Gascon friends who fought for Napoleon - Would much appreciate
any information anyone can add to further expand the definition. Thanks

Jim