On their knees for it, and a
cable all to myself, and the only man on the spot, and nothing
to say. I'd just like to know how long that German idiot
intends to wait before he begins shelling this town and
killing people. He has put me in a most absurd position."
"Here's a message for you, Gordon," said Stedman, with
business-like calm. "Albert Gordon, Correspondent," he read:
"Try American consul. First message 0. K.; beat the country;
can take all you send. Give names of foreign residents
massacred, and fuller account blowing up palace. Dodge."
The expression on Gordon's face as this message was slowly
read off to him, had changed from one of gratified pride to
one of puzzled consternation.
"What's he mean by foreign residents massacred, and blowing up
of palace?" asked Stedman, looking over his shoulder
anxiously. "Who is Dodge?"
"Dodge is the night editor," said Gordon, nervously. "They
must have read my message wrong. You sent just what I gave
you, didn't you?" he asked.
"Of course I did," said Stedman, indignantly. "I didn't say
anything about the massacre of anybody, did I?" asked Gordon.
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