Mr. Perot said through his secretary today that he had "not yet signed off on the plan."

Should I make an appointment through your secretary?

Michael Porter, a leading professor in business strategy, said through his secretary that he, too, had consulted with legal counsel.

Very well," he said, "tell your friend if she wishes to have her questions answered she can make an appointment through my secretary.

Usually clients and business acquaintances went through his secretary, and only the very important calls got passed through.

Guests have to order their sandwich preferences a month in advance through his secretary.

Through his secretary, Judge Weiner declined several requests for interviews.

She picked up one of the phones on the desk, remembered me and said: 'You can make an appointment through my secretary.'

Q. Did you instigate that, or did he call through his secretary?

Except there were times when I did go through his secretary, and she never asked why I was calling.