Explaining how Telegraph Works

King Edward stared at him for several long seconds.

"Minutes?"

"Yes."

The king frowned.

"That isn't possible."

"It isn't possible today," Ernest replied calmly. "But I believe it can be."

The office fell silent once more.

Lord Ashford slowly lowered the papers in his hand, his eyes fixed entirely on Ernest. Hollen looked from one person to another, convinced he had somehow missed an important part of the conversation.

Finally, the Prime Minister spoke.

"You've mentioned this... what did you call it?"

"A telegraph."

"Telegraph," Lord Ashford repeated, testing the unfamiliar word. "And what exactly is a telegraph?"

Ernest looked around the office before his eyes settled on the large map hanging on the wall.

"May I?"

King Edward nodded.

"Go ahead."

Ernest stood and walked toward the map. Taking a stick of chalk from a nearby tray, he drew two circles.

One over Belfast.