Page:The Prime Minister by Hall Caine.djvu/62

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THE PRIME MINISTER

Mrs. Schiller.
Has—has anything happened at the office?

Fritz.
No, not much. I'm discharged—that's all.

Mrs. Schiller.
You, too, Fritz?

Fritz.
The moment I got in, the managing director sent for me. He had a serious announcement to make.

Doctor.
Ah!

Fritz.
Last night there had been questions in Parliament. Was it true that persons of enemy origin were being employed as editors at certain continental telegraphic agencies?

Doctor.
Ha ha!

Fritz.
Result—a hint from the Home Office this morning that all such persons were to be got rid of immediately.

Mrs. Schiller.
But why should they be so cruel?

Fritz.
[Laughing bitterly.] Why? They said news of the transport of troops had become known to the enemy—that ten thousand of them had been sunk——