MR EDGAR WALLACE RELATES A SECRET.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18772, 30 May 1929, Page 8

MR EDGAR WALLACE RELATES A SECRET.

DILEMMA WHEN KING ALFONSO WAS BOMBED

(Special to the “ Star.”) LONDON, April 20.

Lecturing in London on the work of a special correspondent, Mr Edgar Wallace yesterday told a good story of his experiences in Madrid when a bomb was thrown at the King of Spain on his wedding day.

Mr Wallace found that he had spent all his money in telegraphing what he thought was a brilliant account of the ceremony in Madrid. “Then came the tragedy, of which I was a terrified wit ness, and I had the big story of the day and no money to send it away with

“All the shops were closed, all the banks were making

holiday; but on the previous Sunday I had taken out the heads of the telegraph department and had given them a good supper. “There was now a heavy censorship, but in return for my supper the telegraph staff had extended to me the freedom of the instrument room.

“I explained to the clerk my difficulty, and my message took priority of the British Ambassador’s dispatches. There was no talk of money until, a week later, the Spanish Post Office found that my urgent message had not been paid for.”