Gustav was waiting impatiently during the interview, and when Roger said with a sigh:
"Well, I guess that covers everything, Mr. Hackett," Gustav put in quickly:
"Did Ernest tell you there is var in Europe. The Vaterland, England, France, Belgium. Mein Gott, you should see the papers they brought."
"Good heavens! War! You don't mean it! Not a real one," cried Roger.
"Yes, more or less real! Of course, Germany will be in Paris any time now, and that will end it," said Ernest.
"But what is it all about? War! I can't believe it." Roger looked over the breathless, shimmering desert to the far calm blue of the River Range.
"Nobody knows exactly who started it or why," said Hackett. "Looks to me though as if Germany was trying to hog Belgium."
"Belgium deserves to be hogged," exclaimed Ernest, who had changed his clothes, "after her Congo history."
"But if it is var, I must get back to the Vaterland," cried Gustav.
"Oh, as to that," returned Ernest, "I saw Werner in New York and he said for you to stay here till you heard from him. He plans to be down this way, this fall."