In a minute
more he had arranged matters, and hurried to the table to write his
despatch. Ere the major had finished writing a messenger boy was at
the door.
"Boy, you'll find my automobile at the hotel entrance," stated Major
Woodruff. "Give this card to my chauffeur, and he'll take you on the
jump to the telegraph office. Then come back in the automobile, and
wait for more work."
"Do you expect anyone in Washington to get that message now, after ten
o'clock at night?" Jack asked, wonderingly.
"To-night?" repeated Major Woodruff. "Yes, sir! You haven't much idea,
I take it, Mr. Benson, how fast government business travels. Within
five minutes the first part of my message will be ticking out on a
receiver in the War Department. The Army officer in charge will get
the Secretary of War over the telephone. Why, my answer will very
likely be here inside of twenty minutes!"
It was thirty minutes, exactly, when a messenger placed a telegram in
Major Woodruff's hands. As soon as the messenger had gone outside,
the major read this telegram.
_"Keep prisoner Millard close confinement pending further orders.
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