“I got an order to go to the President’s house,” returned Foray, “and when I got there the President——”
Thorne made one last attempt to complete his message.
“Beg pardon, General, this delay will be most disastrous. Permit me to go on with this message. If there’s any mistake, we can rectify it afterward.”
He seized the key and continued sending the message as he spoke.
“No!” cried Arrelsford.
General Randolph either did not hear Thorne’s speech or heed it, or else he did not care to prevent him, and he continued his questioning.
“Where did you get this mistaken order?” he asked.
But Arrelsford, intensely alive to what was going on, interposed.
“He’s at it again, sir!”
“Halt, there!” said General Randolph. “I ordered you to wait.”