"James Golding, accompanied by M. Tabort, French Banking Magnate, entered rear car, Paris express for London, to cross the channel. Car uncoupled in tunnel. Explosion. Both men instantly killed. Sub-marine tunnel wrecked."
"Send this message to the New York Javelin," are his instructions to the operator. "Rush it, and I will give you a hundred francs."
"Cable is engaged," is the reply. "Orders from London."
"What news is London sending over this cable?"
"None. It seems strange to keep the cable tied up, when there is such important news to be sent. But the instructions are, 'Send no messages to the United States.' I'm sending an unimportant House of Commons speech."
"Your wire is free, then? I'll give you a thousand francs if you will send this one message through," Nevins urges persuasively. "I want to get the news to my paper. They will pay royally for it."
The operator hesitates. A thousand francs is a tempting offer.
"When will you pay?" he asks.
"I will pay you now, on the very spot."
As he speaks Nevins counts out the bills.