"Now is the time, if ever, to use that new telaphotograph instrument which I have installed for the War Department in Washington and carry around with me," he said to himself, rising and going to a closet.
He took out a large instrument composed of innumerable coils and a queer battery of selenium cells. It was the receiver of the new instrument by which a photograph could be sent over a telegraph wire.
Down-stairs, in the telegraph room of the hotel, Arnold secured the services of one of the operators. Evidently by the way they obeyed him they had received orders from the company regarding him, and knew him well there.
"I wish you'd send this message right away to Washington," he said, handing in a blank he had already written.
The clerk checked it over:
U. S. WAR DEPARTMENT, Washington, D. C.
Wire me immediately photograph and personal history
of Martin arrested two years ago as head of Anti-American League.—ARNOLD.
As the message was ticked off, Arnold attached his receiving telaphotograph instrument to another wire.
It was a matter scarcely of seconds before a message was flashed back to Arnold from Washington:
Martin escaped from Fort Leavenworth six months
ago. Thought to be in Europe. Photograph follows.