Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1913-03-13

"Yes. by that dispatch. but that dis.
patch ts forgery. 1t 10 an order to
withdraw a whole division from a vital
point. A false order, he wrote It him
self. This IL the turning point Of the
whole plot"
But why should he .>rite It him.
self II he wanted to send false or
der. he could send 1t without putting It
down on paper. couldn't her
YES" admitted Arrelsforti, but he
went on with great acuteness, "if any
Of the operators came back they would
catch him doing II. With that order
and the secretary's signature he could
go right on. He could even order one
Of them to send IT,"
And pray how did he get the secre-
tary's signature to forged telegram T.
asked General Randolph.
HE tore 1t of genuine dispatch.
Why, general, look at that dispatch in
your hand yourself. The secretary's
signature IL pasted on, saw him do
It,"
They often coma that way, sir"
said Thorne nonchalantly.
HE IL q Nar!" cried Arrelsford.
They never dol"
Thorne stepped forward impulsive-
~, his face flushed at the word liar"
but he controlled himself.
General" he said, III you have any
doubt about that dispatch, send 1t
back to tho war department and have
It verified"
1t was splendid, magnificent bluff
So overwhelming in its assurance that
even Arrelsford himself was petrifed
with establishment. He was morally
certain that Thorne was federal So
cret service agent and that the dis
patch was forgery. yet it would take
but few minutes to send II over to
the seoretary's Office and convict him
out Of his own mouth. What could
the man mean!
That's good idea," said General
then turned 20 the guard. Sergeant"
he said, take this dispatch over to
the secretary's office and"
At that moment, the key which had
been silent began a lively clicking.
General Randolph turned toward It,
and Thorne made a quick step in the
same direction.
WHATS that?" asked the general.
Thorne stood by the desk listening
while the key clicked out the mes.
sage.
"Adjutant General Chesney,- he
spelt out slowly.
ooh, from the front, then?" said
; Randolph.
Yes. sir" answered Thorne.
What is he saying?"
Thorne stepped to the table and
bent over the clicking key. His com
pliments. sir" he read of slowly. HE
asks"-waiting for a few minutes
FOR the resty'-still another pause
, "of that dispatch-he says IT'S of vital
: importance. sir. and"
The communication which Thorne
had made to General Randolph was In
itself Of vital Importance. The gen
eral was too good a soldier not to
know the danger Of delay in the carry
ing out Of military maneuver which
was probably part Of some general
> plan Of attack or defense Of which he
was not privy. He made up his mind
instantly. He took the dispatch from
the hand Of the sergeant and turned
1t over to Thorne again.
Let him have it," he said decisively
The captain with his heart pounding
like mad sat down at the table ant
seized the key. Was he going to com
plete the dispatch? Was the plan tc
be carried out. Had he triumphed II
. the bold and desperately played game
by his splendid courage, resourceful
ness, and assurance! His eyes shone
the color came back into his pale
, cheeks as his hands trembled on tn,
key
General" Dried Arrelsford. 81
you-"
That's enough, sir. We will have
. You examined at headquarters"
At that instant Lieutenant Fora,
, came rapidly into the room.
J Thank Godl" cried Arrelsford, q,
: he caught sight Of him. There's .
witness. he was sent away on q forged
order. ask himr'
, Another interruption, though
, Thorne, desperately lingering the keys
II they would only give him q minut,
; more he could complete the order
but he was not to have that minut,
apparently.
wait, captain" said General Ran
! dolph quickly. and again the key wal
silent Nov. sir" he said to Lieu
tenant Foray, where did you come
fromT'
} The lieutenant did not all compre
, bend what was toward, but his answer
: to that question was plain.
There was some mistake, sir" h,
: answered, saluting.
} "Ah!" cried Arrelsford, a note O
triumph in his voice.
Who made it," asked the general.
II got an order to go to the presi
dents house." returned Foray, "anS
when ! got there the president"
4horne made one last attempt u
complete his message.
beg pardon. general. this delay will
be most disastrous. Permit me to e
on with this message. II there's any
: mistake, We can rectify It afterward.'
He seized the key and continued
sending the message as he spoke.
mol" cried Arrelsford.
> General Randolph either did MOI
hear Thorne's speech or heed 1t, Of
IL