Monsignor did not dare to ask for an interpretation. But he was aware that the air of tenseness in the room tightened up still further.
The General got up.
"Southminster," he said, "I think I'll take a stroll outside if I may. One might see something, you know."
"Go up to the keep, if you like. There's a covered path most of the way up. There's a look-out there, you know. I had one set in case the wireless failed. At any rate, they may see the rockets farther along the coast."
Monsignor too stood up. His restlessness increased every moment, although he scarcely knew why.
"May I come with you too?" he said. "Will your Eminence excuse me?"
(II)
The two said nothing as they went out through the dimly lighted hall. Overhead hung the old banners in the high wooden roof; a great fire blazed on the hearth; and under the musician's gallery at the farther end they saw the bright little window behind which sat the secretary.
They stopped here and peered in.
He was seated with his back to them before an instrument not altogether unlike an old-fashioned organ. A long row of black keys was in front of him; and half a dozen stops protruded on either side. Before him, in the front, a glass panel protected some kind of white sheet; and as the priest looked in he could see a movement as of small bluish sparks playing upon this. He had long ago made up his mind not to attempt to understand modern machinery; and he had no kind of idea what all this meant, beyond a guess that the keys were for sending messages, and the white sheet for receiving them.