No answer.

[He mops his brow in utter dejection.  The officers by the window do not see him as he studies the telegram and studies it again as though he could not believe his eyes.

CAPTAIN

[Turning.

Any news, Mr. Grosvenor?

GROSVENOR

[Thickly.

A plot, a damned Stock Exchange plot.

[He hands the CAPTAIN the message.

CAPTAIN

[After a glance at the message.

Hello!  Say, General, look at this.

GENERAL

[Turning.

What’s up?

CAPTAIN

The State Department has just had news from our Ambassador to Iberia.  Delightful interview with the King.  Evident willingness to meet us half way.

GENERAL

[Coolly.

Is this straight?  It sounds fishy.

CAPTAIN

They’re trying to gain time.  I don’t believe it.

GROSVENOR

It’s a damned plot.

GENERAL

Looks to me like a blind to stop our preparations.  I’m going over to the War Department.  Coming, Captain?

CAPTAIN

It’s that crafty Prime Minister over there playing us tricks, eh?

GROSVENOR

[Hotly.

It’s a plot!

GENERAL

Something’s queer!  Good night, Grosvenor!

GROSVENOR

[Effusively.

Good night, General, good night.  God be with us all in these dark days,
I say!

GENERAL

[Solemnly.

Amen to that!

CAPTAIN

[Saluting carelessly.

Good night.

GROSVENOR

Good night, good night.

[The OFFICERS go out. GROSVENOR strides excitedly up and down.

It’s a plot, it’s a damned plot—­

[He goes toward the rear and picks up a telephone instrument on a desk by the window.

Can you get me the House?  Mr. Maynard.  Yes.  Making a speech?  Never mind.

[He hangs up the receiver and presses a button on the wall.  Then he quickly writes a message on the back of the telegram and encloses it in an envelope.  The PAGE enters.