You'll soon know it, too." Black called to the tramp operator.
"My man, call up the box relay fellow below here." The sounder clicked busily for some moments.

"I have the other box relay man," declared the operator.
"Then send this, very carefully," Black continued hoarsely: "X-x-x---a-a-a---b-b-b." The operator repeated it.

Black nodded.

Once more the instrument clicked.
"The other box relay man signals that he has it," nodded Black's present operator.
"Listen! Everyone of you! Not a sound in this outfit," commanded 'Gene Black.
For fully three minutes the intense silence continued.

Then Black turned again to the operator, saying: "Ask the other box relay man if anything has happened near him ?" A minute later Black's operator reported: "He says: 'Yes; happened successfully.'" "Good!" laughed Black, a look of fierce Joy lighting up his eyes.
"Now, Reade, I guess you'll admit yourself beaten.