"We had a war with Spain, and we took the Spanish possessions, as well as Porto Rico. Manila was captured three days after war was declared."
"Three days after war was declared! How could our fleet, which must have been half the way around the world, get the news that war had been declared in that time?"
"The commander of our fleet at Hongkong, was notified by telegraph."
"How could that be done without a telegraph line?[p. 145] Over what part of the earth are the lines now running?"
"Everywhere; but there are many running under the sea and are called cable lines."
Ephraim looked at John for a moment, as though he doubted the meaning of the words just uttered, and then slowly inquired: "That must be a remarkable thing. I do not see how it would be possible to string wires under the sea."
"They are encased in water tight coverings, and some of the lines are four thousand miles long. But nowadays we do not need wires for telegraphing."
The deformed figure arose, and appeared to be agitated, as he said: "Do you mean to say that messages can be sent without wires?"
"Stations for that purpose are now in operation all over the world."
"That is as improbable to me as though you should tell me that it would be possible to talk over a wire," he answered.