"Justine—"
"—Millerand in the care of Monsieur Millerand, Minister of War. We could say 'Is Schuler dead?' and sign it with some name she'd know in Rosemont. She'd understand at once that in some way news of his being in Belgium had reached here."
"It seems awfully uncertain."
"It is uncertain. Even if she got the cable she might not be able to send a reply. Everything is uncertain about it. At the same time if we could get an answer it would be a comfort to Fräulein even if the message said he had died."
"I believe that's so. It's not knowing that's hardest to bear."
"Don't you think Mademoiselle would have sent word to Fräulein if he had died?"
"I don't believe she knew they were engaged. No one knew until after the war had been going on for several weeks. If ever she wrote to any one in Rosemont she might mention having seen him, but I don't believe it would occur to her to send any special word to Fräulein."
"She might be put under suspicion if she addressed a letter to any one with a German name even if she lived in the United States."
"No one but Ethel Blue has had a letter from Mademoiselle since, she left," said Helen. "We should have heard of it, I'm sure."
"Well, what do you say to the plan? Can't we send a cable signed by the 'Secretary of the United Service Club'?"