"Because the Belgian custom house is at this station, and the next will be the Dutch custom house."
Rollo knew that this was the Belgian custom house by seeing the word Douane over one of the doors of the station, and under it the words Visite Des Bagages, which means examination of baggage. There were besides a great many soldiers standing about, which was another indication.
"How do you know that it is the Belgian custom house?" asked Mr. George.
"Because all these soldiers are in the Belgian uniform," said he. "I know the Belgian uniform. I don't know the Dutch uniform, but I suppose I shall see it at the next station."
Rollo was perfectly right in his calculations. The last station on the line of the railway in Belgium was the frontier station for Belgium, and here travellers, coming from Holland, were called upon to show their passports, and to have their baggage examined. In the same manner the first station beyond, which was the first one in Holland, was the frontier station for that country, and there passengers going from Belgium into Holland were stopped and examined in the same way.
After going on a few miles from the Belgium station, the whistle blew and the train began to stop.
"Here we are!" said Rollo.
"Yes," said Mr. George; "and now comes the time of trial for the musical box."
Rollo had bought a musical box at Antwerp, and he had some fears lest he might be obliged to pay a duty upon it, in going into Holland. Mr. George had told him that he thought there was some danger, but Rollo concluded that he would take the risk.
"They have no business to make me pay duty upon it," said he to Mr. George.