3:05 A.M.
`` Did you see the old war-horse ? '' Beryl did not answer , and after a moment the agent added : `` That is Gen ' l Darrington 's nick-name all over this section . '' `` When will the next train leave here ? '' `` Not until 3:05 A.M. '' Beryl sat down on the edge of a baggage truck , and pondered the situation . She knew that her mother , who had carefully studied the railway schedule , was with feverish anxiety expecting her return by the train , now many miles away ; and she feared that any unexplained detention would have an injurious effect on the sick woman 's shattered nerves . Although she could ill afford the expense , she resolved to allay all apprehension , by the costly sedative of a telegram . Only a wall separated the ticket office from that of the `` telegraph , '' and approaching the operator , Beryl asked for a blank form , on which she wrote her mother 's address , and the following message : `` Complete success required delay .