on that Forette. And yet the next
day, when he came to take the car away, after we'd charged the storage
battery, he drove like a snail. One of my men went with him a little
way, to see that everything was all right, for Mr. Carwell is very
particular--I mean he was--and Forette didn't let her out for a cent
My man was disappointed, for he's a fast devil, too, and he asked the
Frenchman why he didn't kick her along."

"What did the chauffeur say?"

"Well, it wasn't so much what he said as how he acted. He was as nervous
as a cat. Kept looking behind to see that no other machine was coming,
and when he passed anything on the road he almost went in the ditch
himself to make sure there was room enough to pass."

"Seemed afraid, did he?"

"That's it. And considering how bold he was the day I was out with him,
I put it down that he must have had a few drinks when he took me for a--
Well, I never saw him, but how else can you account for it? Drink will
make a man drive like old Nick, and get away with it, too, sometimes,
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.

"Oh, I wouldn't want what I said to keep Forette out of a place!"
protested the man quickly. "If I'd thought that--"

"You needn't worry. You haven't don