though the stuff'll get `em sooner or later. But that's how I sized
it up."

"He might have taken something other than drink."

"What do you mean?"

"Dope!"

"Oh, yes, I s'pose so, and him bein' French might account for it.
Anyhow he was like two different men. That one day he was as bold as
brass, and I guess he'd have driven one of them there airships if any
one had dared him to. Then, the next day he was like a chap trying for
his license with the motor inspector lookin' on. I can't account for
it. That Jean Forette sure is a card !"

"Then he really seemed afraid to speed the Dilat car?"

"That's it. And he spoke of Mr. Carwell going to get a more powerful
French machine. He said then he'd never driven it to the limit, and
didn't want to handle it at all. And he spoke the truth, for I heard
that he and the old man didn't get along at all with that red, white
and blue devil Mr. Carwell imported."

"So they say. Forette was to leave at the end of the month. Well, I'm
much obliged to you. A friend of mine was going to engage him, but if
he has such a reputation - not reliable, you know, I guess I'll look
farther. Much obliged," and the colonel, who, it is needless to say,
had not revealed his true character to the garage owner, turned aside.