I had been using the code-book that morning, preparing despatches for Paris, and now, at the first series of significant clicks, I dropped my left middle finger on the key and repeated the signal to Paris, using the required variations. Then I rose, locked the door, and returned to the table. 4
“Who is this?” came over the wire in the secret code; and I answered at once: “Inspector of Foreign Division, Imperial Military Police, on duty at Morsbronn, Alsace.”
After considerable delay the next message arrived in the Morse code: “Is that you, Scarlett?”
And I replied: “Yes. Who are you? Why do you not use the code? Repeat the code signal and your number.”
The signal was repeated, then came the message: “This is the Tuileries. You have my authority to use the Morse code for the sake of brevity. Do you understand? I am Jarras. The Empress is here.” Instantly reassured by the message from Colonel Jarras, head of the bureau to which I was attached, I answered that I understood. Then the telegrams began to fly, all in the Morse code:
Jarras. “Have you caught Buckhurst?”
I. “No.”
Jarras. “How did he get away?”
I. “There’s confusion enough on the frontier to cover the escape of a hundred thieves.”
Jarras. “Your reply alarms the Empress. State briefly the present position of the First Corps.”