half past ten
The marvelous rapidity with which such affairs may be spread broadcast these days is the first wonder in a new epoch of wonders . From Irkoutsh to Aukland , from St. Johns to Los Angeles , wherever a newspaper was published , the news flew . Within twenty-four hours it would be as difficult to draw against that letter as it would be to transmute baser metals into gold . At half past ten Warrington , apparently none the worse for a sleepless night , entered the private office of the consul-general who , gravely and with studied politeness , handed to him an unopened cablegram . `` I rather preferred to let you open it , Mr. Warrington , '' he said . `` Still , it might be something of your own , '' replied Warrington . He noted the lack of cordiality , but with passive regret .