The clerk glanced at it, and then passed it back.
"Can't be sent," he informed Hal.
"Can't be sent! Why not?"
"Nothing can be sent over this wire but military messages from this time on," said the clerk.
"But we missed the train, and I want to send this message to my mother, so she won't worry," pleaded Hal.
"I'm sorry," the clerk returned kindly, "but it is impossible. I must obey my orders."
Hal and Chester were nonplused.
"What shall we do?" questioned Chester.
"The only thing I know to do," replied Hal, "is to take the next train without telegraphing. Mother is sure to be at the Brussels station. I guess she knows we have enough sense to get there."
"All right Let's find out when the next train leaves."