The signature is in code.
Raymond
It's the blackest news yet, sir—and it's true.
Stevens
You must realize that we cannot delay a moment in placing another man at the head of the ticket.
[There is a moment of dead silence while all watch Lincoln's face. Suddenly the sharp click of the telegraph instrument begins to spell the word A-T-lanta. Lincoln starts—his face flashing with excitement.]
Lincoln
What's that?
[He follows breathlessly the spelling of the full word—his face expressing his joy.]
Operator