CHAPTER XXIV
IN THE HOUR OF HIS TRIUMPH
"Have you any means of tracing the person who brought this message? inquired Entwistle.
"Hardly," replied the Postal Censor's assistant. "One receives so many cables and telegrams for dispatch in the course of the day. I'll find out the name of the clerk on duty at the time, although I'm afraid the information will be disappointing." By means of a voice-tube, the official made various inquiries.
"O'Donovon, is it?... Is he on duty now?... Just reported, eh? Good. Ask him to step up to my room, please."
Presently a brisk tap on the door was followed by the appearance of a slight, rather pale-faced young man of pronounced Hibernian features.
"This," said the Censor's assistant, "is 'Mr. O'Donovon. Mr. O'Donovon, this gentleman, Mr. Entwistle, wishes to ask you some information respecting a certain cablegram. Will you answer as fully as you can on the matter?"
"I want you, Mr. O'Donovon," began Entwistle, "to give me a description of the person who handed in the message."
It was Entwistle's way. Instead of asking if the clerk perchance remembered the individual, he assumed that he already did so.