“Yes, it is strictly private.” “Then you will have to get an order from——” “That is what I thought,” said Caroline, “so here it is.” “Why didn’t you tell me before,” returned Foray, taking the paper. “Oh,—Major Selwin——” “Yes, he—he’s one of my friends.” “It’s all right then,” interposed the Lieutenant, who was naturally very businesslike and peremptory. He pushed a chair to the other side of the table, placed a small sheet of paper on the table in front of her, and shoved the pen and ink conveniently to hand. “You can write there, Miss Mitford,” he said. “Thank you,” said Caroline, looking rather ruefully at the tiny piece of paper which had been provided for her. Paper was a scarce article then, and every scrap was precious. She decided that such a piece was not sufficient for her purposes, and when Lieutenant Foray’s back was turned she took a larger piece of paper of sufficient capacity to contain her important message, to the composition of which she proceeded with much difficulty and many pauses and sighs. CHAPTER XI MR. ARRELSFORD AGAIN INTERPOSES Nobody had any time to devote to Miss Mitford just then, for a perfect rain of messages came and went as she slowly composed her own despatch. Messengers constantly came in while others went out. The lines were evidently busy that night. Finally there came a pause in the despatches coming and going, and Foray remembering her, looked over toward the other end of the table where she sat. “Is that message of yours ready yet, Miss Mitford?” he asked. “Yes,” said Caroline, rising and folding it. “Of course you have got to take it.” “Certainly,” returned the operator smiling. “If it’s to be sent, I have to send it.” “Well, here it is then,” said the girl, extending the folded paper which Lieutenant Foray took and unceremoniously opened. “Oh!” exclaimed Caroline, quickly snatching the paper from his hand, “I didn’t tell you you could read it.” Foray stared at her in amazement. “What do you want me to do with it?” “I want you to send it.” “Well, how am I going to send it if I don’t read it?” “Do you mean to say that——” began the girl, who had evidently forgotten—if she had ever known—how telegrams were sent. “I mean to say that I have got to spell out every word on the key. Didn’t you know that?” “Oh, I did, of course—I—but I had forgotten,” said Caroline, dismayed by this unexpected development. “Is there any harm in my reading the message that I have to send?” “Why I wouldn’t have you see it for the world! My gracious!” “Is it as bad as that, Miss Mitford?” he said laughing. “Bad! It isn’t bad at all, but I wouldn’t have it get all over town for anything.” “It will never get out of this office, Miss Mitford,” returned Foray composedly. “We are not allowed to mention anything that goes on in here.” “You wouldn’t mention it?” “Certainly not. All sorts of private messages go through here, and——?” “Do they?”