"Yes, that's all," he said. "Except for this. Waterloo station is
closed to all civilians. You will require a word to pass the
sentries. No matter what you see, once you are inside, you are
not to describe it. You are to tell no one, not even your parent
- - what you do or what you see. That is all," and he nodded in
dismissal.

They made their way out and back to the railway station. And Dick
seemed a little disappointed.

"I don't think this is much to be doing!" he grumbled.

But Harry's eyes were glistening.

"Don't you see ?" he said, lowering his voice so they could not be
overheard. "We know something now that probably even a lot of the
soldiers don't know! They're mobilizing. If they are going to be
sent from Waterloo it must mean that they're going to Southampton
-- and that means that they will reach France. That's what we'll
see at Waterloo station -- troops entraining to start the trip to
France. They're going to fight over there. Everyone is guessing
at that -- a lot of people thought most of the army would be sent
to the East Coast. But that can't be so, you see. If it was,
they would be starting from King's Cross and Liverpool street
stations, not from Waterloo."

"Oh, I never thought of that!" said Dick, brightening.

When they got on the train at Ealing they were lucky enough to
get a compartment to themselves, since at that time more people